How can elementary school students get excited to learn about renewable energy? 

With creative lessons such as how to build your own mini solar oven. Andrew Cin-Walker, 5th grade science teacher at KaposiaEducation Center, South Saint Paul Public Schools, provides a demo on how to build a mini solar oven, a lesson that is part of his 5th grade science curriculum on energy resources. 

How to Build a Mini Solar Oven: Lesson plan + video

More info:  mn.gov/solar4schools.

Having a curriculum that teaches students about renewable energy is one of the elements of Minnesota’s Solar for Schools Program, which Governor Tim Walz signed into law in 2021 and expanded with more funding in 2023 to help even more schools add solar power. The program is now fully operated by the Energy Resources Division at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. 

The program was designed to provide incentives for schools to install solar energy systems and to use that as an opportunity to integrate renewable energy use into school curriculum. Eligible schools may apply for grants to cover 25 to 95 percent of the cost to purchase and install a solar energy system. 

In the program’s first year, 54 Minnesota schools were awarded grants to install new solar energy systems. Eighteen additional schools have submitted grant applications so far in 2023, with another funding round currently open and accepting applications through September 5. These projects collectively already represent a nearly 50 percent increase in the number of Minnesota schools with solar. 

Some schools, such as Kaposia in South Saint Paul Public School District, already have solar on their rooftops. More info and resources: www.sspps.org. 

Schools are increasingly going solar across our state and nationwide. Minnesota is among the top states for solar on schools and with new funding from the 2023 One Minnesota Budget, many more schools will be provided grants to go solar. 

TIME:   12:15 pm – Friday, August 25 

LOCATION:  State Fair - EcoExperience building – Solar for Schools exhibit

WHO: Solar for Schools Program, operated by the MN Dept of Commerce Division of Energy Resources

Commerce spokesperson: Mandi Schienebeck, program manager, Solar for Schools 

FEATURING: Andrew Cin-Walker, 5th grade science teacher at Kaposia Education Center, South Saint Paul Public Schools, providing the demo to build a mini solar oven

Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce by following Commerce at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Mo Schriner, Communications Director
Minnesota Department of Commerce
mo.schriner@state.mn.us