Clean Energy Journey

Michigan Students Lead the Way to Solar Energy at Their School

In Bridgman, Michigan, a remarkable partnership between middle school students, local leaders, and renewable energy advocates is paving the way for sustainability and savings. It all started as a creative robotics competition project for the Reed Middle School BeeBots team. It  has since blossomed into a solar energy initiative that could save millions of dollars for their school district.

The BeeBots, a group of fifth- and sixth-graders from Reed Middle School, proposed using solar panels to power their school as part of their “Super School” project during a First Lego League competition in 2022. Their innovative plan won statewide recognition and earned them an invitation to present their concept to the Bridgman Board of Education. 

“They really did a great job presenting,” Superintendent Shane Peters told The Gander. “The board was actually interested because it offered significant savings over time for the general fund.”

The proposal gained momentum thanks to Adam Schaller, a Bridgman High School graduate. Schaller operates a local die cast business, which produces four times its yearly electricity usage through on-site solar arrays. He recognized the potential impact of the BeeBots’ idea and offered his expertise to help bring the project to life. “I was saving so much money doing these solar projects, so I wanted to take what I’ve learned and try to help out the local community with it,” he explained to The Gander.

Community-Driven Solar Transition

The project received a significant boost with a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The grant, combined with federal tax credits and other incentives, reduced the cost of the solar array from nearly $900,000 to approximately $465,000. Schaller emphasized how these financial tools make renewable energy projects accessible to communities like Bridgman. “If you spend money now, you can save money in the future,” Schaller said.

The solar array, set to be installed behind the middle school, is expected to save the district $55,793 in its first year and over $3 million in utility costs over 30 years. These savings, Peters noted, represent about 25% of the district’s annual budget and will allow for greater investment in educational resources. “Money that isn’t spent on electricity will free up more money for everything else,” Peters said.

The environmental benefits are just as significant. By adopting solar power, Bridgman Public Schools will greatly cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. “This initiative is not only a financial win for the district but also a critical step toward sustainability,” Schaller said.

A Bright Future

With licensing and other approvals underway, the solar project is expected to be completed in 2025. Schaller, who has taken a personal interest in ensuring the project’s success, sees this as a way to give back to his hometown. “For me, this is an opportunity to use what I’ve learned to help out my local school district,” he said. “That’s really what’s most important to me as a member of this community.”

The BeeBots’ project also demonstrates the value of empowering young minds to tackle real-world problems. By combining STEM education with sustainability goals, Bridgman Public Schools is fostering a new generation of innovators and leaders. “This project shows what can happen when kids are encouraged to think big and the community comes together to support them,” Peters said.