Solar on La Crosse Schools (SOLS) was started in 2020 by several La Crosse community members passionate about advancing clean energy and enriching our schools. These volunteers recognized that switching to solar energy helps cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reduces energy costs, and provides new sustainability learning resources. From 2020 – 2025, SOLS volunteers have educated, advocated, and fundraised to make solar energy a reality sooner for the School District of La Crosse.
School District energy and transportation manager, Mike Freybler, was an early enthusiastic partner for SOLS, and his successor, Jeff Elsen, carried on the partnership successfully, along with support from Joe Ledvina, Director of Facilities. Over the years of the partnership, the School District selected solar projects, large and small, and SOLS volunteers raised funds.
With LPEF acting as fiscal sponsor for SOLS, the group raised a total of $548,000 through donations and grants to support solar projects in the School District of La Crosse! The total cost of the rooftop projects at five schools was $927,722 (including the SOLS donations, state and federal rebates, grants, and school district contributions). The five completed rooftop projects were:
- Hamilton Elementary array, completed in 2021
- Northside Elementary array, completed in 2022
- La Crosse Polytechnic array, completed in 2024
- Summit Elementary Outdoor classroom & array, completed in 2025
- Southern Bluffs Elementary array, completed in 2025
“What a privilege it has been to work with this group of creative movers and shakers. I want to thank the climate alarmists, dreamers, donors, building managers, teachers, number crunchers, installers, writers, marketers, event planners, and attendees who each played crucial roles in making SOLS a success. Each of us on the tiny SOLS planning team wore multiple hats. Special thanks to Heather Talbot and Ben Golden, who each poured in significant time and talent when they volunteered as SOLS directors. Heather especially organized our community to get this dream off the ground! The SOLS volunteers are delighted to have gotten to know our school district Buildings & Grounds leaders and feel confident they will continue the important work started by SOLS.” ~Alysa Remsburg, SOLS volunteer director
What’s next for SDLC solar?
The school district is routinely planning on solar as part of all major projects, including the State Road Elementary addition and new elementary at the Hogan site. Energy and transportation manager, Jeff Elsen, remarked on how far facilities planning has come since SOLS first put this idea on their radar! SDLC’s 2025 Climate Action Plan guides a range of sustainability initiatives and was drafted with the help of SOLS volunteers along with other community members and district staff.
LPEF has been honored to serve as fiscal sponsor for SOLS over the course of this innovative initiative and is grateful for the lasting impact SOLS has made on the School District of La Crosse by driving investment in energy sustainability. We’re grateful to all SOLS donors and to the following key SOLS volunteers: Alysa Remsburg, Anders Olson, Ben Golden, Cathy Van Maren, William Bittner, Heather Talbot, Peter Gorski, Todd Huffman, Lin Jennewine Huffman, and Christina Mehrkens.
Community members who continue to be interested in supporting solar at the district can contact LPEF about making a restricted donation for future solar or sustainability projects at the school district.
