Sparta School District: Herrman Elementary Solar Project

Exciting Solar Project at Sparta School District’s Herrman Elementary School!

We’re thrilled to bring clean, green energy to Herrman Elementary with a brand-new, 126 kW solar panel system, designed to make a big impact on both the school and the community. With 600-watt VSUN solar panels and a Solis 100 kW string inverter, this solar setup will deliver an estimated 171,000 kWh of energy per year—that’s like powering 15 average homes for an entire year! 🌞🏡

But it’s not just about saving energy; it’s about educating our future generation. This solar system will teach students the power of renewable energy and how it contributes to a healthier, more sustainable world. Imagine classrooms where kids learn about solar power first-hand, and every time they step outside, they’ll see a solar-powered school in action. What better way to inspire the next wave of environmental leaders?

Impacting Education and the Community

This isn’t just a solar project; it’s an investment in our community’s future. As part of this exciting initiative, we’re bringing free educational sessions to Sparta Schools, teaching students about solar energy and sustainability. Plus, these sessions will be available to the wider community, giving everyone a chance to learn how we can all contribute to a cleaner future.

But wait, there’s more! Lydon Solar—proudly staffed by Sparta alumni—is donating $10,000 in labor to ensure the success of this project, along with a five-year maintenance, inspection, and monitoring plan and bi-annual solar panel cleaning. We’re not just building solar panels; we’re building community pride and educational opportunities for all.

This project is currently in the permitting phase and is expected to break ground in early Spring. In working with Sparta School District’s Ryan Fritsch, we were able to secure a $25,000 Solar Moonshot Grant from Hammond Climate Solution Foundation already. We are actively pursuing all incentive options on behalf of the Sparta School District. 

The Numbers Speak for Themselves!

The Herrman Elementary solar system isn’t just saving energy; it’s saving money and helping the planet. Here’s a snapshot of the economic impact:

• Avoided Electricity Cost: $956,602
  (That’s like not having to pay an entire electric bill for the next 30 years!)

• Total Lifetime Benefit: $884,371
  (A significant boost to the school’s budget that can be reinvested into educational programs, extracurriculars, and more!)

• Lifetime Internal Rate of Return (IRR): 30.08%
  (That’s like getting a 30% return on your investment every year—pretty amazing!)

• Lifetime Net Present Value (NPV): $422,793
  (This is the value the school will gain from this system in today’s dollars—pretty much like having extra cash in hand right now!)

• Lifetime Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE): $0.018/kWh
  (Which means, for every kilowatt-hour of energy the school uses, it costs less than a penny. Talk about an incredible deal!)

• Payback Period: 2.6 Years
  (In just 2.6 years, the school will have recouped the entire cost of the system—after that, the energy savings are pure profit!)

How Much Emissions Are We Saving?

Here’s where the fun really begins—this solar system doesn’t just save money, it also helps reduce harmful carbon emissions, making the planet a cleaner place for future generations. Let’s break it down:

• Annual CO2 Emissions Reduction: The 171,000 kWh produced by this solar system will offset roughly 125,000 pounds of CO2 every year.

  • That’s like planting 5,000 trees every year, or taking 12 cars off the road annually.

• Lifetime CO2 Emissions Reduction: Over its lifetime, the system will eliminate over 3 million pounds of CO2—equivalent to removing 100 cars from the road for an entire year!

Now, think of it like this: Every time you turn on a light at Herrman Elementary, you’re not just using energy—you’re helping our kids breathe cleaner air, learn about sustainability, and contribute to the world’s energy future. How cool is that?

In Summary:

• A 126 kW solar system will provide 171,000 kWh annually to Herrman Elementary.
• This system saves $956,602 in avoided electricity costs over its lifetime.
• It will generate $884,371 in total lifetime benefits and achieve a 30.08% return on investment.
• The school will see a payback period of just 2.6 years.
• With this project, we’ll reduce CO2 emissions by over 3 million pounds, helping combat climate change.

This solar project is more than just a bunch of panels on the ground—it’s a chance to teach, to inspire, and to make a lasting impact. The future is bright, and it’s solar-powered! 🌞 Let’s go green, Sparta! 🌱