The Sauk Prairie School District has long been rooted in community values, and that spirit extends to how it approaches sustainability. Determined to lead by example, the district is investing in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient facilities that align with its vision. Its latest step is installing 350 kilowatts (kW) of rooftop solar across two schools. This bold move doesn’t just shrink the district’s carbon footprint—it also strengthens its role as a responsible steward of community resources while empowering the next generation to care for the planet.

For more than a decade, community advocates and retired teachers created the Sauk Prairie Solar Schools team to push for renewable energy in the district, steadily building momentum. Their vision found new champions six years ago with the arrival of a supportive superintendent and, more recently, a major boost from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Together, these forces transformed an ambitious idea into a multi-phase solar project. Today, the project doubles as a learning opportunity: students and residents can track real-time energy generation and savings, bringing the principles of conservation to life. The effort is proof of the district’s commitment to innovation, education, and shared progress, and illustrates what is possible when communities are given the opportunity to own their power.

Community and Grants (1/3): The district received significant contributions from private grants, including the Couillard Solar Foundation’s Solar on Schools program and the Solar Moonshot program. Additionally, incentives from WPPI’s energy programs and a donation match campaign from Sauk-Prairie-based Culver Franchising bolstered numerous small-dollar donations from community members. Small-dollar donations allowed individuals to contribute to a legacy project they couldn’t pursue on their own homes.

Direct Pay (1/3): Funds from the IRA’s direct pay credits covered a substantial portion of the cost. These funds are being used to reimburse a loan the district provided to itself, making the project more affordable.

District Funds (1/3): The district covered the remaining costs using its fund balance. The initial high school project saw the district’s direct financial contribution amount to approximately $145,000, a sum it expects to recoup in just five to six years.

For schools interested in pursuing a similar clean energy project, Sauk Prairie offers some powerful advice:

• Form a dedicated community team: Partner with a group of passionate advocates to spearhead initial research, grant writing, and fundraising.
• Don’t wait for a “perfect” project: Start small to build momentum. The quick cost savings and data from this initial phase will provide concrete proof of concept, making it significantly easier to secure support and funding for future, larger installations.
• Address skepticism with data and expert testimony: Overcome internal resistance and concerns by bringing in outside experts to explain the technology, its safety, and its benefits to an unsure audience. 

Emphasize financial benefits to secure broad support: Use a public-facing reporting tool to share real-time data on cost savings and energy generation to keep the community informed and engaged.

 Contact and Resources

• Contact Info: For more information about this project, please visit the Sauk Prairie School District website or contact Superintendent Jeff Wright at jeff.wright@saukprairieschools.org. 
• Resources for schools pursuing renewable energy: 
  • Undoubted K12 
  • Solar on Schools
  • KEEP – Wisconsin’s K12 Energy Education Program

Acknowledgments: Thanks to Sauk Prairie Solar Schools and Hammond Climate Solutions for helping the Sauk Prairie School District’s Solar projects become a reality.