Reagan Middle School - A Solar Leader in Illinois
In the summer of 2005, Reagan Middle School in Dixon, Illinois became the largest ground-mounted solar school in the state. Its 51.2 kW system was placed at a school named after President Ronald Reagan - in a town where he lived as a child. This large system shows off the fact that solar can supply a large amount of power, and educate at the same time. Pictured above are: George Reigle, District Architect with Green Associates out of Deerfield and
Ironically, some of you may know that President Reagan had solar at the White House and certainly our solar technologies (thermal and photovoltaic) have come a long way in terms of reliability and scale since then. There is an interesting story on solar technologies in the White House here - http://www.solartoday.org/2003/may_june03/solar_wh.htm.
David Blackburn, Business Manager of Dixon Public Schools District 170 explained how the process began. “We were rather ambitious to start.” Early plans called for solar above a parking structure. After many revisions and number crunching they decided on the ground-mount system. It took a lot of collaboration, including board members and staff that were 100% behind going solar. “Now retired principal Woody Watson and board member Tom Lemoine were big supporters of the project.”
Everyone is aware about the environmental benefits of solar, however many still do not know that solar makes sense economically. The Reagan Middle School is on course for an 8-10 year payback on investment. This is made possible by a list of logistical and financial supporters:
- Glen Kizer from the Foundation for Environmental Education
- Rex Buhrmester from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Bob Romo from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
- ComEd
- Spire Solar Chicago
- Green Associates of Deerfield, Illinois
Now that it is successfully up and running, it is all worth it. Blackburn said, “Dixon is proud to be on the front end of a renewable energy solution.”
For those of you that need a summer chill, take a look at these Solar Celebration images from February 2004! And for those of you in warmer climates, yes, that’s what snow looks like on a solar panel.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Recently I stumbled upon your website. I was amazed to see that your article left out the true facts about President Regan and Solar Energy. True President Regan was a good president in his own way. BUT he did not “have” solar on the whitehouse roof. He removed the Solar collectors that Jimmy Carter had placed there.
You have mentioned a website that takes you to the truth, which is that Regan’s policies destroyed an industry and put us in the mess we are in today. Better you had not mentioned Solar and Regan except to say it was on a school named in his honor.
Rod Garrison
MBA Energy Resouce Management
July 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am
The solar panels were taken off under Reagan because they leaked. The second Bush administration later installed them again, along with new solar collector systems on the Swimming Pool cabana and groundskeeping building. The advances in solar have been amazing in this is just one case that shows that.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
President Reagan took the solar hot water panels off the Whitehouse roof because he did not support the solar energy industry. You can be sure that they did not leak. Any company entrusted with the honor of installing panels on the Whitehouse would have used the highest quality materials and workmanship, and it is implausible that the installer would not have backed their work with a warrantee.
At the time Reagan said, “That’s enough of that!” when he ordered their removal. The act was symbolic. Between 1981 and 1986, the Reagan administration cut funding for renewable energy research and public renewable energy tax credits by 90%. His election campaign was strongly backed by the US oil and energy industry. That’s a fact, and you can verify it.
Shame on you for perpetuating myths to your students and people all over the world via your website. You might have been mistaken when you originally posted this, but now it is time to reconsider what you tell people, children and adults alike. Who was putting up solar radiation collection devices for schools in Dixion when Reagan was actually elected? They have been installed recently because Reagan’s public policy on the issue has been finally been reversed, after years of incontrovertible evidence of global warming and carbon source depletion. Look to the future for significant public interest in solar; Not in the past, and certainly not to the Reagan administration.
Leah Singh
October 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I read the comment you posted, and wanted to make sure you understand that our site is a site to encourage dialog. We do our best to share all sides of the perspective, and share individual perspectives…including yours. I approved your comment even though I didn’t agree entirely with your opinion. We try to put forth constructive and positive stories that help people move to action - we are here to dispel myths, not perpetuate them. We definitely need to learn from the past as the past continues to define our future (we can learn from the past and improve upon the future). It is people and their projects that make solar happen - not just politicians.
I also can tell you that not all “demonstration” projects use the highest quality materials or workmanship - that is most certainly a myth. I have seen the reality of poor workmanship (even with high $’s, high profile locations and local/federal agency oversight).
I’m sorry you feel so strong as to say “shame on us” - we thank you for sharing your opinion…the story was about a school, and not Reagan.