A new era of renewable energy has dawned for Stafford County Public Schools, which recently celebrated the commissioning of Virginia’s largest rooftop solar installation on a K-12 school. In a partnership with clean energy firm Madison Energy Infrastructure (MEI), North Stafford High School is now home to a 1.8-megawatt solar array, a project officially unveiled at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The extensive system, which began installation in February 2024, is composed of 3,300 solar panels. Over the next 25 years, the array is projected to generate approximately 54 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity. This significant energy production translates into substantial financial and environmental benefits for the school district. Financially, the project is expected to save the school system an estimated $2.8 million in electricity costs. Environmentally, it will offset an impressive 41,583 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, reinforcing the community’s commitment to sustainability.
Beyond its function as a power source, the solar array serves as a dynamic educational tool. Through MEI’s Solar Empowered Schools curriculum, students at North Stafford High School gain direct access to real-time performance data from the rooftop panels. This initiative transforms the school’s infrastructure into a living laboratory, allowing students to engage with interactive learning modules and even take virtual reality tours of the system, deepening their understanding of renewable energy science and technology.
“This rooftop solar array represents a significant milestone for our school division,” stated Maureen Siegmund, Stafford School Board Chair. “We are proud to be a part of this energy and cost savings project, while also providing our students with real-world educational opportunities to engage in this field at North Stafford High School.”
The project’s success is being viewed as a blueprint for other school systems. Rich Allevi, Vice President of Energy Solutions with MEI, highlighted the project’s broader implications. “It’s an honour to partner with Stafford County Public Schools on this monumental project, with implications for school systems across Virginia as they look toward the future of clean energy,” he said. “This project at North Stafford High School will pave the way for a greener outlook while serving as an inspirational model for other school districts across the state and nation.”
Stafford County School Unveils 1.8MW Solar Array in Virginia: Sources
- News – Green World Renewable Energy
- Stafford County’s largest school solar energy system unveiled
- School solar power gets high marks : BackIssues, altenerG.com
- Battery Power Plant Projects – Interconnection.fyi
- Stafford County Public Schools & Madison Energy Infrastructure …
- North Stafford High School Celebrates Completion of Largest …
- Madison Energy completes 1.8-MW rooftop solar array for Virginia …