The mission of the Maize Solar Initiative is to install systems that convert sunlight into electricity thus saving the district money, reducing carbon emissions, and leaving a legacy for future generations.
Grand Plan
Raise $385,000 to install solar panels on Maize High School
The approximate savings of $3000/month will be placed in a solar savings account with the cumulative account balance on the website
Once sufficient savings have reached a threshold, Maize South High School will outfitted with solar panels and those savings added to the solar savings account.
Continue to add more schools as the savings become exponential. Due to regulations, other schools will be limited to a 150 kW system to maintain net metering.
Once all of the schools have solar panels, then all of the savings will then be available for enhanced curriculum, technology, reduced class size, etc.
Three Primary Selling Points
Environmental – reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 240 tons/year*
Fiscal – Each 240 kW system will save approximately $36,000/year and each 150 kW system would save approximately $23,000/year.*
Legacy – Leaving the world a better place for future generations.
potential schools with 150 kW capacity
Timeline
November 28, 2017 Steering Committee meets for first time
Begin identifying donors, establishing network, and strategies
January, 2018 – Establish online presence with SeeBeyondMaize.com with capacity to accept funds electronically.
February – May, 2018 – Meet with donors
Summer of 2018 – Kickoff party to raise awareness and celebrate success
Fall of 2018 – let contract out for bids with hope of starting instillation late fall, 2018
Begin savings account that is visible at the website seebeyondmaize.com
Fall of 2019 start installation on second building
Funding Sources
Phase One – Donors [740 for 740] If an individual or group [for example, the class of 2005] donates $740 to cover the cost of one of the 740 panels, their names will be added to scrolling video that will be displayed on 4 LCD screens throughout the school. They will also have the chance to add a short video that will play or image that will be shown.
Companies that support the campaign will also have the company logos on display and the chance to add a video and listed as donors on the website.
Major donors will receive additional recognition on video displays throughout the district.
Phase Two – Donors, grants, and foundations
Phase Three – Crowd funding through raising monies from individual classes and memorials.
Long Term Goals
Establish training program for solar panel techs through Career and Technical Education
Replicate program in other districts/states
Become leader in the state and Midwest for sustainable energy production and community/schools partnership.
Create a new foundation to assist smaller schools with seed money to start their own initiative.
Create an international coalition of supporters to start solar initiatives around the world.
Raise $385,000 to install solar panels on Maize High School.
The approximate savings of $3000/month will be placed in a solar savings account with the cumulative account balance on the website.
Once sufficient savings have reached a threshold, Maize South High School will be outfitted with solar panels and those savings added to the solar savings account.
Continue to add more schools as the savings become exponential.
Once all of the schools have solar panels, then all of the savings will then be available for enhanced curriculum, technology, reduced class size, etc.
The 240 kW system at Maize High School will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 270 tons per year.
