Northside Elementary ‘Flips the Switch’ to solar energy

Contractors completed the installation of a 130 kilowatt solar energy system on the rooftop of Northside Elementary school this week.The system’s 292 panels will create roughly one-third of the energy for the building, which also houses the Coulee Montessori School. The photovoltaic system is expected to save the School District of La Crosse an estimated $11,000 in utility expenses each year, or over $400,000 over the life of the system.The array was fully funded at no cost to the district. Solar on La Crosse Schools, a volunteer group of more than a dozen parents, students and community members, led the fundraising effort. In addition to private donations, grant funds also were awarded by the La Crosse Community Foundation, the Couilliard Solar Foundation, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Hammond Climate Solutions.SOLS director Ben Golden notes that…

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