Solar panels to be installed at Woodland 50 schools next summer

The long-discussed plan to bring solar energy to most Woodland Elementary District 50 schools will be completed by the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, according to district officials.

Last July, district officials approved a deal to work with Siemens Energy to install solar panels on the roof of Woodland Middle School and on the grounds of Woodland Intermediate School and Woodland Elementary East and Woodland Elementary West schools.

Under the terms of the deal, the panels would be installed, owned and maintained by Siemens. Siemens would sell energy to the district at a reduced rate, which officials estimate will save the district just over $3 million over the life of the 20-year contract. Between the deal with Siemens and grants from the state, the solar plan is cost neutral to the district, according to officials.

Chris Bobek, the district's associate superintendent of business services, said this summer crews will install the interior components of the solar panel system, including electrical lines that run from the panels into the buildings. Bobek said next summer crews will install the panels themselves and get them hooked up. The district had the option of starting the panel installation late this summer, but officials decided it would be too much of a disruption for students.

"The one thing you don't want to do is to rush a project of this size," Bobek said.

Another aspect of the project that has changed since last year is the location of the panels at the middle school, which will now be installed on school grounds. Bobek said the district hired an independent contractor to inspect the roof and the experts found the roof would likely need to be replaced before the Siemen's contract was up.

"We don't want to put solar panels on a roof then replace the roof," Bobek said.

The solar panels also will be incorporated into the curriculum.