Students discussing the Solar Project at an after-school meeting in March before schools closed.
Pablo Foundation Executive Director MaiVue Xiong
Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Sarah French
In celebration of Earth Day and to encourage community participation, the Pablo Foundation will match up to $25,000 in April donations to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation’s Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund that is supporting the installation of solar arrays on Eau Claire Memorial and North high schools.
The Solar on Eau Claire Schools project, launched in December 2019, is raising between $250,000 and $275,000 to fund the installation, racking, and 25-year maintenance contract for two solar arrays of 360 solar panels each. The first 360 panels for the project were donated by the Couillard Solar Foundation. An anonymous donor will contribute the second 360 panels after the project meets its fundraising goal.
The solar project, once installation is complete, will be incorporated into the STEM curriculum at the two high schools, will expose students to career opportunities in the environmental and solar industries, and will save Eau Claire Area School District approximately $20,000 a year in utility costs.
Pablo Foundation has also donated an outright gift of $25,000 toward the solar project. The additional dollar-for-dollar April match, up to $25,000, is ideal timing as Earth Day (April 22) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
“We are thrilled to partner with Pablo Foundation to inspire and encourage more community involvement in the solar project,” said Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Sarah French. “Pablo’s generosity will have an incredible impact on our students and the environment!”
“The Solar Panel Project aligns well with the [Pablo] Foundation’s support of educational efforts, especially those with long lasting impacts on both our students and our environment,” shared MaiVue Xiong, Pablo Foundation Executive Director. “The benefits of this project are numerous, including moving towards clean energy, serving as an educational tool, and potentially encouraging students to go into these fields. We are excited so many partners have stepped up to participate in this project, and we encourage others to donate towards this effort because collectively, we can build a more healthy and sustainable community for all.”
Eau Claire Area School District is currently reviewing and evaluating electrical engineer proposals for the project. Installation for the panels is expected to begin in the summer.
Gifts to the Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund support the installation, racking, and maintenance of the panels, ensuring the project is entirely privately supported. To donate, visit the Fund page here.
Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit, independent organization that connects the community and Eau Claire Area School District to inspire and enhance the educational experience of our students. Through charitable donations gifted from community members and businesses, ECPSF is able to provide schools with their greatest needs, support educator creativity, and grow endowment funds to enable future giving. www.ecpsfound.org