At this elementary school, solar energy means more money for kids

St. Germain, located among the towering pines of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, is a small town making big strides in clean energy. In 2023, the Northland Pines School District installed a 69.4 kW solar energy system at St. Germain Elementary School, a move made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act’s groundbreaking direct pay provision for public institutions.

Thanks to this key piece of federal policy, the district slashed its expected payback period from 12 years to just 5.9 years. The solar project at St. Germain Elementary School is driving energy cost savings that will fuel investment back into classrooms and student programs. Without the support of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), projects like this would be out of reach for many small communities.

By making clean energy upgrades affordable and practical, the IRA empowered forward-thinking projects that strengthen local economies, support public schools, and create lasting benefits for generations to come in places like St. Germain.