Stafford County Public Schools sought to reduce energy costs while creating hands-on learning opportunities for students. With rising utility expenses and growing awareness of environmental responsibility, the district aimed to lead by example—empowering students through direct exposure to renewable energy technology while improving the sustainability of its facilities.

The North Stafford High School Solar Project is Virginia’s largest school-based solar array, featuring 3,300 rooftop panels with a capacity of 1.8 MW. The system will produce 54 million kilowatt hours of clean energy and is projected to save the school district $2.8 million over the next 25 years. It also offsets 41,583 tons of CO₂. Beyond environmental impact, the project integrates with MEI’s Solar Empowered Schools curriculum, allowing students to engage with real-time energy data and immersive learning experiences. This success showcases the power of collaboration between Stafford County Public Schools, Madison, and their partners in clean energy.