Virginia high school combining solar power and education under one roof

Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia are combining solar power with education. North Stafford High School unveiled the largest school rooftop array in the state on Thursday, Sept. 12, a project that first started in February 2024.

The 3,300 solar panels will reportedly save the school district an estimated $2.8 million dollars over the next 25 years and offset carbon emissions by nearly 42,000 tons.

The panels will also be used for student learning. High schoolers will be able to access data through learning stations in the school library. The stations will use an energy dashboard to teach students how things like seasons and weather conditions impact solar energy. Those interested in solar power careers can learn about opportunities in the field and explore the solar array on top of the school’s rooftop through virtual reality.

Virginia is among the top 10 states in solar power on K-thru-12 schools. According to recent data, the state ranks ninth in the nation in solar power in that category. However, solar power efforts are expanding across the United States. Researchers found that one in nine students now attend a solar-powered school in the U.S.

Stafford County Public School officials said they are also excited about the opportunity to brings to the community to educate them on the value of “environmental stewardship.”

Madison Energy Infrastructure, the New York company behind the effort at the Virginia high school is also behind various green projects across the nation.

The contract between the school district and company expires in the next 25 years.