- Boyd County High School, Kentucky. Photo Credit: Solar Holler
Nestled along the western border of West Virginia in a region with a long history in coal mining, Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) is looking toward a clean-powered future. WCPS is installing the largest K-12 school solar project in Appalachia, and by 2025 it will be the first in the state to solarize all school buildings. With over 5 megawatts (MW) of cumulative solar capacity (over 10,000 solar panels) distributed across the district’s 18 school buildings and 3 district administrative buildings, WCPS will power almost 100% of its electricity needs with the sun. WCPS is more than tripling the total amount of solar installed by West Virginia’s K-12 schools from 2.1 MW to 7.1 MW.
Wayne County Schools Stats
Location: Wayne, WV
School District: Serves 6,240 students at 18 schools
Solar Installation: 5.3 MW of solar at 21 district buildings (18 schools, parking garage, and school board building)
Energy Offset: 99% for the district’s electricity footprint
Cost Savings: $6.5 million over the next 25 years
Financing: Power Purchase Agreement
Solar energy savings could support teacher salaries
After seeing the cost-saving benefits of improving energy efficiency with LED lighting and HVAC upgrades, Superintendent Todd Alexander looked to local solar developer Solar Holler to find even more cost savings through clean energy. The decision to pursue solar energy was driven by a clear objective: reduce operational costs while fostering local economic growth and engaging the community.
WCPS is the first K-12 school district in the state to utilize a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), a third-party ownership model in which the solar developer funds, installs, and maintains the solar array on behalf of the customer. Through this agreement, Wayne County Schools agreed to purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels at a predetermined rate (10 – 20% lower than the rate they pay their utility) for 25 years. By financing the solar project through a PPA, WCPS avoided paying upfront capital costs and was able to install a solar project that is ten times larger than any other school district solar installation in the state. Wayne County’s designation as an energy community with a history of coal mine closures and reliance on fossil fuel employment made the project eligible for an additional tax incentive that will help bring down the overall cost of the project for the solar developer.
With projected energy cost savings of $6.5 million over 25 years, the solar project will enable the district to invest the savings into addressing pressing facility and staffing needs. Superintendent Todd Alexander estimates the anticipated financial impact of the project is enough to fund the salaries of three additional teachers for the duration of their careers.
With projected energy cost savings of $6.5 million over 25 years, the solar project will enable the district to invest the savings into addressing pressing facility and staffing needs. Superintendent Todd Alexander estimates the anticipated financial impact of the project is enough to fund the salaries of three additional teachers for the duration of their careers.
Investing in the local clean energy economy and workforce
Superintendent Alexander wanted the project to support a local business and support the local economy. With its headquarters in Wayne County, Solar Holler was a natural choice as a project partner. The Solar Holler staff includes graduates of Wayne County Public Schools and parents with children currently enrolled in the school system.
“Working with the school system of Wayne County is a dream come true for Solar Holler. Some of our staff graduated from Wayne County Schools or have kids who are students there now. It’s the heart of coal country, where our state’s proud history of energy production is rooted. It’s literally the community that’s helped build our business, so we’re really grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on what solar can do for public institutions and education systems right here in Southern West Virginia,” said Dan Conant, Solar Holler Founder and CEO.
Before the first solar panels were installed, Wayne County Public Schools partnered with Solar Holler to develop an apprenticeship program to prepare high school seniors for future careers in the growing local renewable energy industry. Through this program, students gain hands-on experience and practical skills in solar technology, electrical work, and project management. Under the supervision of Solar Holler’s unionized installation crews, WCPS students will have the opportunity to participate in the installation of solar panels on their own school buildings. Furthermore, many of the Solar Holler’s apprentices go on to retain full time employment at the company upon graduation.
“[Wayne County is] the heart of coal country, where our state’s proud history of energy production is rooted. It’s literally the community that’s helped build our business, so we’re really grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on what solar can do for public institutions and education systems right here in Southern West Virginia.”
Dan Conant, Solar Holler Founder and CEO
This ambitious project marks a pivotal shift from Wayne County’s historical reliance on coal to a future driven by clean energy. Wayne County Public Schools is setting an example for other communities in the Appalachian region to follow by being the first school district in West Virginia to have all of its schools buildings powered with onsite solar energy. The school district created a path to power its buildings with onsite renewable energy that generated significant financial benefits, supported local businesses, and invested in a future clean energy workforce.
