Green Bay school board discusses adding solar panels at four schools

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Green Bay’s school board is looking to upgrade its energy conservation efforts at several schools in the district.

At Monday night’s meeting, they discussed installing solar panels at four more schools on the city’s east side.

This would be another step towards the district’s goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050.

They started initially with the King Elementary and Lombardi Middle School buildings as part of their 2022 referendum projects.

One of the main reasons the district is pursuing another solar upgrade is to capitalize on an opportunity to use up to roughly $1.1 million in federal rebates, before the window closes in a few months.

The schools expected to receive these solar upgrades are Green Bay East High, Washington, Edison Middle, and Aldo Leopold Community School.

Those buildings are also in the process of receiving roofing upgrades, which is what allows the district to add solar panels at the four sites while saving operational funds.

Board President James Lyerly said the district is happy to take any step towards using more clean energy, especially with an opportunity like this one.

“The projects that we’ve executed to date they’ve really reduced the operational expenses associated with those buildings, so that’s what we’re really looking forward to, is taking these next projects and advancing that cost reduction effort,” Lyerly said.

While they did not approve the contract to move forward with these projects Monday night, Lyerly feels the board has heard all the information they need to make an official decision at their next meeting on August 25.