Solar panels proposed for Zaun soccer fields

The Grafton School District is considering installing solar panels at its soccer fields in the Town of Grafton that could create approximately $900,000 in additional revenue for the district during the next 30 years.

We Energies has approached the district to lease the northern portion of Zaun Field in the Town of Grafton and install ground-base solar panels, creating an additional annual revenue of $30,000 for up to 30 years. 

“This will be a very lengthy approval process,” Business Services Director Topher Adams said during Monday’s School Board meeting, noting the timeframe is dependent on the Grafton Town Board.

The Town Board met on Monday to approve discussing the option at the town Plan Commission meeting in  December. There will be a public hearing for town residents in January, followed by the board making a decision in February, Adams said. 

If the town goes forward with the plans, the district will hold a meeting of the electorate to approve the lease. Alternatively, the district could hold a meeting before final town approval and make a lease agreement contingent upon the town’s approval, Adams said.

The portion of Zaun Field in question is used for soccer, but that area would be reduced by 155,000 square feet if plans are approved. 

The district considered using school roofs as a potential option, but Director of Facilities Jamie Scofield said it could only be done on new roof sections that were constructed during the district’s $39.9 million referendum project several years ago. 

“Anytime there is a leak or an issue with the roof, we would be responsible for removing the solar pieces and reinstalling them. In my professional opinion this is not a viable situation,” Scofield said, noting roof leases are typically 20 years, with the option of extending the lease another five years. 

“Once I realized that, I think these school districts that put them on the roofs are going to regret that in the next five to 10 years.”  

Supt. Jeff Nelson said We Energies initially approached the district to use the entire field.

“We didn’t think that would be a palatable question to ask the board,” Nelson said, noting the field is also used by the Grafton Gladiators and Fusion Soccer Club, both of which are youth sports programs. 

During the meeting, several parents said the sports programs are outgrowing the current space at Zaun Field and they opposed the proposal. 

Adams said negotiations with We Energies are ongoing.

The board did not take action at its meeting, but the general consensus was to pursue the project. The board is also considering researching other green space alternatives on district property, such as at Kennedy Elementary School.  

“We want to maintain a healthy relationship with all of those programs,” School Board President Paul Lorge said.

“(We) want to ensure underutilized district assets, being green spaces not with buildings, are available to the community entities to drive value.”