In partnership with Mission Energy, DSD Renewables is developing a 701 kW rooftop solar array that will generate nearly 837,000 kWh each year.
The project will be installed at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and will provide approximately 65% of the school’s energy needs through renewable sources while avoiding 593 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
“Aligning with our commitment to empower nonprofits to implement clean energy solutions, and as a hallmark of our Catholic Energies program, we’re incredibly proud to be part of this collaboration to bring solar to Marian Catholic High School,” says Dan Last, CEO at Mission Energy. “We’re excited to see this project benefit the school and its community and are appreciative to have the backing of DSD to make this project come to life.”
With the installation expected to be operational in 2024, the project will provide cost savings that will help the school better control its tuition rates while reducing its environmental impact.
“With this project, we will be the first private high school in the Chicagoland area with a solar array of this magnitude,” says Vince Krydynski, President of Marian Catholic High School. “We’re excited to be working with Mission Energy and DSD Renewables to deliver a project that carries out our vision to be a more responsible citizen of the world while bringing significant benefits to our operations, students, and their families.”
The announcement comes shortly after the news that a coalition of 20 local education agencies (LEA) in Illinois received a portion of $178 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. The funding will allow each coalition member to build a microgrid and purchase at least one electric school bus. This will help each LEA to experience increased resiliency during grid outages and offset peak demand utility charges.
