Solar Gets an A+ From
Affton School District
Affton, MO
When Affton School District conducted an energy audit, facility leaders saw an opportunity to reduce operational costs across the board. Partnering with StraightUp Solar, the district implemented a phased solar strategy, starting with a pilot project at the Early Childhood Center before expanding to Gotsch Intermediate and Rogers Middle School.
By combining 100 kW solar arrays with reflective white roof replacements, Affton cut energy costs by 50%—saving over $350,000. These returns are being reinvested directly into classrooms, programs, and student resources.
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Solar Story
Finding the Opportunity
When Jeff Rooks took over as Director of Building and Grounds for Affton School District, one of his first priorities was conducting a comprehensive energy audit across district facilities. Upon discovering low Energy Star ratings, Jeff recognized that lowering energy overhead could unlock significant funds for the district’s primary mission: educating students.
Testing the Pilot
To prove the financial viability of solar power to the Board of Education, Affton launched a pilot project at the Affton Early Childhood Center, selecting StraightUp Solar as the winning bidder. The results exceeded expectations, beating their projected return on investment (ROI) timeline by two to three years and validating a district-wide rollout.
Scaling Across the District
Building on the success of the pilot, Affton moved forward with back-to-back solar projects at Gotsch Intermediate School and Rogers Middle School. Both facilities featured ideal concrete roof decks capable of supporting large systems. To maximize efficiency, the district paired the solar installation at Gotsch Intermediate with a full roof replacement, installing a reflective white KEE roof membrane to reduce heat absorption before placing the 100 kW solar array on top. A matching project followed at Rogers Middle School, creating an extensive field of solar generation across district rooftops.
Reinvesting in Student Success
By taking control of their energy costs, the Building and Grounds department became a direct contributor to the district’s financial health. The combined solar installations slashed energy bills by approximately 50%, putting over $350,000 back into the district’s hands. Rather than paying utility bills, Affton can now channel these savings into building renovations, future efficiency initiatives, and essential classroom supplies.
“We’ve been able to reduce our energy cost by about 50%, and that equals about $350,000. With $350,000, the district now can put that towards new building renovations, more energy efficiency initiatives, or just books for the classrooms.”
Jeff Rooks, Director of Building and Grounds, Affton School District
Project Photos
