Benson schools still exploring solar energy potential

By Reed Anfinson
Benson Public Schools continues to pursue the potential of adding solar panels to its roofs, Supt. Dennis Laumeyer told the District 777 Board of Education at its meeting Monday night.
Laumeyer has met with the City of Benson to get a sense of where they are on the school district installing solar power to meet part of its demand for electricity. Currently, the city provides all the buildings in the district with electricity. While the sale of electricity to the school district generates revenue for the city, Laumeyer said the city was supportive of the district’s exploration of the solar power potential for its buildings.
As a second step in the process, Laumeyer has confirmed that the school district would be eligible for a 70% credit on its costs of installing solar power.
There was another conversation with a person representing a firm that has done over 200 solar projects at schools who walked district staff through the process of what is involved. It also provided the firm with utility bills for it to study in relation to the district’s needs and costs.
The firm also would have a structural engineer look at the roofs of the high school, Northside Elementary, and the new Benson Activities Center, which hosts the gymnastics program, he said.
When more information is available on the potential for the school district to install solar panels on its buildings, it will be brought to the board, Laumeyer said.
Earlier this year, the school board was told that a solar array on the high school could generate up to 40 kilowatts (kW)  of power.
In 2023, Benson High School spent $111,672 on electrical costs with the City of Benson and used 1,460,682 kW of power.

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