StraightUp Solar specializes in solar for schools across Missouri and Illinois, helping public, private, and charter institutions lower energy bills, access financial incentives, and bring clean energy education into the classroom.
With over 3,000 solar installations completed since 2006, including many within the education sector, we know how to help schools take full advantage of available programs while minimizing upfront costs and maximizing long-term benefits.
As schools integrate more technology into classrooms and facilities, energy demands continue to grow, along with utility costs. These rising expenses can divert funding from essential areas like academic programs, facility upgrades, and extracurricular activities. Investing in solar allows schools to stabilize their energy budgets and redirect savings toward what matters most: students and learning.
At StraightUp Solar, our experienced team works closely with school leaders to develop customized solar energy systems that align with each school’s goals, infrastructure, and budget. We’re here to help you reduce operational costs, increase sustainability, and bring clean energy education directly to your campus.
StraightUp Solar is a member of TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System), a national purchasing cooperative that offers access to competitively procured purchasing contracts. School districts and municipalities can contract directly with TIPS-approved vendors, avoiding the RFP process. By leveraging TIPS, you can contract with StraightUp Solar in a simple, straightforward process, with the peace of mind that you’re receiving a good value for your purchase.
We work with schools across Missouri and Illinois to install high-performing solar arrays that fit the physical layout of your campus and support your long-term energy goals. Suitable installation locations include:
Flat and low-sloped roofs are ideal for mounting ballasted or attached solar array systems. Many school buildings already have the structural layout needed for optimal solar performance.
Parking lots offer another opportunity to generate clean electricity while providing shaded parking for staff and visitors.
Schools can enhance sustainability efforts and future-proof their facilities by adding EV charging stations alongside solar installations.
Open areas on school grounds can be used for ground-mounted arrays when roof or parking space is limited.
Solar production dashboards can be installed on campus, giving students and staff real-time access to system performance. These tools are ideal for STEM education and sustainability programs.
Each system is custom-designed to match your available space, energy usage, and budget. During the planning process, we’ll walk you through all aspects of your solar installation, from system layout and solar production estimates to expected ROI and available incentives.
In 2018, Parkway School District in western St. Louis County, Missouri, installed four 75 kW (DC) solar arrays across Green Trails Elementary, Wren Hollow Elementary, Parkway West High School, and Parkway South High School. Together, these systems generate about 389,000 kWh of clean electricity annually and will save the district over $1.1 million in energy costs over their 25+ year lifetime. The environmental benefits include offsetting 14.3 million pounds of CO₂ emissions, equal to 16.3 million miles driven by cars, 7.2 million pounds of coal burned, or 7,953 acres of U.S. forests preserved.
In August 2021, Eureka College installed a 155.63 kW (DC) solar system on the Cerf Center, consisting of 415 REC 375-watt panels powered by two SolarEdge inverters. The system generates an estimated 209,857 kWh of clean electricity annually, saving the College about $16,989 in the first year alone and more than $173,000 over the first 10 years through a prepaid lease financing model. Beyond financial savings, the project significantly reduces the campus carbon footprint while supporting Eureka College’s mission of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
In 2012 and 2015, Mehlville School District in St. Louis, Missouri, installed a 175 kW (DC) solar system across seven rooftop arrays, totaling 688 panels (Sharp 240 & Renesola 305) and supported by 10 Fronius and 2 SMA America inverters. The system produces an estimated 238,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually, providing about $6,500 in utility savings each year through a lease agreement with no upfront cost. Environmentally, the installation offsets 3,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to avoiding 7.9 million miles driven by cars, making a significant impact on both the district’s budget and sustainability goals.
In December 2019, John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois, completed a 1.87 MW (DC) ground-mounted solar installation using 5,714 REC 350-watt panels powered by 44 Chint Power Systems string inverters. The system generates approximately 2,528,735 kWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power around 300 average Illinois homes each year and meet up to 40% of the college’s campus electricity needs. Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the project delivers estimated savings of $40,000 in the first year and more than $1.5 million over 25 years, with full ownership projected in just seven years.
In August 2021, Eureka College installed a 155.63 kW (DC) solar system on the Cerf Center, consisting of 415 REC 375-watt panels powered by two SolarEdge inverters. The system generates an estimated 209,857 kWh of clean electricity annually, saving the College about $16,989 in the first year alone and more than $173,000 over the first 10 years through a prepaid lease financing model. Beyond financial savings, the project significantly reduces the campus carbon footprint while supporting Eureka College’s mission of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
In 2012 and 2015, Mehlville School District in St. Louis, Missouri, installed a 175 kW (DC) solar system across seven rooftop arrays, totaling 688 panels (Sharp 240 & Renesola 305) and supported by 10 Fronius and 2 SMA America inverters. The system produces an estimated 238,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually, providing about $6,500 in utility savings each year through a lease agreement with no upfront cost. Environmentally, the installation offsets 3,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to avoiding 7.9 million miles driven by cars, making a significant impact on both the district’s budget and sustainability goals.
In December 2019, John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois, completed a 1.87 MW (DC) ground-mounted solar installation using 5,714 REC 350-watt panels powered by 44 Chint Power Systems string inverters. The system generates approximately 2,528,735 kWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power around 300 average Illinois homes each year and meet up to 40% of the college’s campus electricity needs. Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the project delivers estimated savings of $40,000 in the first year and more than $1.5 million over 25 years, with full ownership projected in just seven years.
Switching to solar energy can lead to substantial cost savings, an especially important benefit for schools operating on tight budgets. Redirecting money away from rising utility bills can open up new opportunities for educational investment.
Here’s how schools benefit financially:
Direct Pay for Nonprofit Schools
Nonprofit schools can now access the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit through a feature called Direct Pay. This turns the tax credit into a refundable cash payment, allowing schools without a tax liability to receive the full financial benefit. That payment can directly reduce the upfront cost of a solar PV system, making projects more affordable and financially viable.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Illinois
Schools can:
Custom Financing in Missouri
Schools can:
Schools also have the option of partnering with outside investors who install and own the system. The investor claims the commercial solar tax credit and other available incentives, while offering the school a low monthly rate for the solar energy produced. The school still enjoys long-term energy bill savings.
In both states, solar is also an eligible use of federal funds and local capital campaign dollars, making it a financially strategic investment with dependable, long-term returns. Our project developers work with school leaders to design a solution that meets budget requirements while delivering reliable energy savings.
Our project developers work with school leaders to create a solution that meets budget requirements while delivering dependable, long-term energy savings.
Schools can reinvest savings into:
What could your school accomplish with the savings solar provides?
Public schools play a vital role in shaping tomorrow’s leaders, and going solar sets a powerful example for environmental responsibility. By generating clean electricity on-site, schools reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and help improve the health of our communities.
The educational benefits are just as meaningful:
StraightUp Solar also provides on-site presentations to help students, teachers, and community members understand the impact of renewable energy.
Interested in bringing solar education to your school? Contact our Missouri and Illinois solar installation company to schedule a presentation.
The cost of solar energy has dropped by more than 80% in the past decade, and schools can take advantage of additional savings through state incentives, utility rebates, and third-party financing. Nonprofit schools can now directly access federal tax credits through a new feature called Direct Pay, which makes the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit refundable. This allows schools to receive the full value of the credit as a payment, further reducing the cost of going solar. In addition, options like Power Purchase Agreements (in Illinois) or custom financing (in Missouri) make it possible for schools to adopt solar with little to no upfront cost.
Use our interactive graphic to learn more about how power purchase agreements can work for you.
StraightUp Solar provides a customized Solar
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Proposal for
your organization. Your organization then signs
a PPA with our Third Party Investor who provides
the financing for your solar project.
The Third Party Investor finances the project
and arranges for StraightUp Solar to install the
solar array and provide maintenance. The Investor
receives all financial incentives associated with
the project including the tax credits.
Your array produces solar electricity for the
grid to be consumed as needed.
In return, your organization pays the Investor
a fee for the solar electricity at a lower cost per
KWh than grid electricity.
Since 2006, StraightUp Solar has completed over 3,000 residential and commercial solar installations across Missouri and Illinois. We manage every aspect of your school’s solar project, including:
Our 10-year workmanship and production warranties ensure long-term peace of mind.
StraightUp Solar operates according to our CLEARE values:
We believe in making solar accessible and understandable. With education as a core value, we prioritize transparency and offer resources to help you make informed decisions.
StraightUp Solar is a Certified B Corporation, recognized since 2015 for our commitment to high environmental and social standards. We’re also a proud member of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, a national network of locally owned, mission-driven solar companies. Through shared best practices, ongoing innovation, and a focus on continuous improvement, we’re always striving to deliver better outcomes for the schools and communities we serve.
StraightUp Solar first became Certified as a Benefit Corporation (B Corp) in 2015. Unique in the business world, B Corps commit to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
We proudly deliver school solar programs throughout Missouri and Illinois, including communities like St. Louis, Champaign, Carbondale, Belleville, and Decatur.
Want to know if your school qualifies for solar incentives in Illinois or school solar financing in Missouri? Let’s talk.
Yes. We can introduce schools to third-party finance partners to reduce the upfront costs of solar. StraightUp Solar works with schools on Power Purchase Agreements (Illinois only), lease structures, construction loans and long-term financing solutions tailored to each school’s needs. We also identify and capture every available incentives and grants to maximize savings with a third-party finance partner.
It depends on system size, energy goals, and financing structure. We’ll walk you through detailed estimates upfront.
We schedule construction during off-peak times and ensure student safety throughout.
Yes! Battery storage can be added to support critical systems during outages. Your project developer will explore options during your consultation.
Every system includes access to a digital solar dashboard for real-time performance tracking. Your school can display the system’s production on monitors and use it as a teaching tool.
Having a solar PV system provides a real-life learning laboratory for teaching renewable energy, data analysis and engineering to students. The system’s performance can be monitored and presented in classrooms. The electrical system drawings and mechanical systems can be explored for engineering classes. StraightUp Solar can work with you on integrating renewable energy presentations into your classroom.
The Anna-Jonesboro Elks Lodge #1641 can dedicate more funds for veterans and children programs throughout Southern Illinois because of the electricity savings generated by their
https://youtu.be/pUj_KW5Ujyk For Long Row Lavender, a destination flower farm just outside of St. Louis, solar was a natural addition to their sustainable operation. After irrigating
St. Louis real estate investor and developer, Mark Jaffe, first went solar in 2014. Since then, he’s continued to brighten rooftops and his bottom line,
