Let the sun shine... Let the Son shine!
Photovoltaic (PV) means the
conversion of sunlight into electricity. KML was blessed in 2009 with
grant money from three agencies to install four solar arrays (of sixteen
panels), each on a mobile tracker and overlooking a retention pond.
These mobile trackers follow the sun throughout the day,
generating about 30% more electricity than fixed systems. The system is
rated to produce 19,600 kWh annually. The energy produced by the
solar arrays offsets the amount of electricity that KML uses each
month. An online portal illustrates
electrical usage and production. The $130,000 project was fully funded
through accepted grant proposals.
Phase 2 of the “Let the Sun Shine…Let
the Son Shine” project began in 2010. Seven additional trackers (and
112 more solar panels) were installed. They provide another 35,000 –
40,000 kWh annually. About 10 percent of KML’s electrical usage will be
produced on our campus using renewable energy. KML has already had an
energy audit, and the AP Environmental Science students are
studying ways of reducing KML’s electrical usage. The $260,000
project was funded mostly by grants, with the KML auction committee
providing a major gift toward paying off our portion of the cost. The
system was dedicated on April 22, 2010, the fortieth anniversary of
Earth Day.
Phase 3 of KML's solar project began in early June 2011. The site for the ground-mounted, 31 kW system is the hill directly behind the school. Having stationary PV allows KML students to compare and contrast electrical production with
the PV trackers of the first two phases. Phase 3 will produce an
estimated 40,000 kWh of power annually. Focus on Energy and We Energies
are the major grantors. The system's cost is estimated at $196,000.
Installation was performed once again by Arch Electric from
Plymouth, WI.
You can view live data showing how much electricity our solar panels are producing by clicking here. You can also visit our interactive solar energy page by clicking here.
