NORMAN, OK (April 22, 2024) — Norman Public Schools (NPS) today unveiled its new 488-panel solar power plant at Norman North High School. The installation on the roof of the school was recently completed.
The 263.52 kW project will offset 100% of Norman North High School's energy. Over the next 30 years, the school district will reduce enough carbon emissions equal to planting 116,574 trees and save roughly $1 million in utility expenses—freeing up dollars to invest back into the classroom.
“By going solar, we are investing our resources back into the classroom, and everyone is walking away a winner,” said Dr. Nick Migliorino, superintendent for Norman Public Schools. “The fact that this energy transition will impact the next 30 years for the better is incredible. By going solar, we have the opportunity to support today's students and set a legacy of innovation for the generations that come after us.”
NPS’s project was fully funded by utilizing new provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 that created $369 billion of uncapped dollars for solar development through 2034. Enabled by Brightwell, a solar capital partner, NPS was able to capitalize on the benefits of these solar incentives via an impact investor at no capital expense or added cost to the school district.
“Norman Public Schools understands its role and responsibility as it relates to energy, along with our responsibility to the taxpayer,” said Justin Milner, associate superintendent and chief operating officer for Norman Public Schools. “We have spent the past seven years looking for solutions, and there is no comparison to the win-win opportunity that Brightwell facilitated.”
NPS is the first district in the state to tap into this opportunity, and this is only the beginning, as the school district hopes to expand this project to multiple locations.
“At Brightwell, our mission is to unlock generosity by enabling investors to repurpose their tax dollars and direct them into solar projects that empower local nonprofits, schools, and places of worship. Norman North High School is just the start,” said Tony Capucille, founder of Brightwell. “Keeping the lights on is a necessity, but now this utility expense can be transformed and reinvested into teachers and students thanks to impact investors who have largely solved Norman North’s energy needs for the next 30 years.”
Norman North’s project fulfills the first 13% of the Norman Solar Initiative’s total goal to convert up to 2 megawatts of power to rooftop solar across the Norman community. The initiative, led by the City of Norman and the Norman Chamber of Commerce, launched in April and continues until August 31 making available exclusive discounts on solar energy systems for Norman businesses, nonprofit, and residents through the community buying program.
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