CPS Goes Solar

Beginning in the last quarter of 2020, SGA began developing with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Director of Energy and Sustainability Sandrine Schultz the district’s new CPS Goes Solar! initiative, designed to:

  • • Maximize on-site solar on CPS buildings;
  • • Procure renewable energy from newly developed solar projects in Illinois toward meeting its goal of 100% renewable energy procurement
  • • Develop an energy road map that supports CPS in its ghg emissions reduction goal of reducing emissions by 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels; and
  • • Educate students on solar technology, the climate crisis and connect them to solar industry professionals

SGA is excited to be bringing together a partnership of for-profit and non-profit technical experts with Chicago Public Schools’ Energy and Sustainability Director and other CPS departments to initiate CPS Goes Solar, a district-wide renewable energy project.

Watch a short video and learn more about CPS Goes Solar!
Click here

With over 600 schools, the potential for solar roof space cannot be ignored!

Our amazing team

Sandrine Schultz – Energy and Sustainability Director for CPS

Gary Cuneen – Executive Director of SGA

Mark Burger – Solar Consultant for SGA

Aaron Jospeh – President of Starfield Road LLC

Liz Wimmer – Green Schools Program Manager for the IL Green Alliance

Bridget Degnan – Commissioner on the Cook County Board of Commissioners

Amy Antoniolli – Cousel with Schiff Hardin LLC

Riana Caravette – President of Earth Wind and Solar Energy

Diane Vargas – Capital Creation Specialist with Ameresco

Vito Greco – Director of Solar Programs at Elevate Energy

Brian Imus – Executive Director of IL Green Alliance

Anne Evans – CEO of Elevate Energy

Zemriah Todd – Executive Director of Futurez, Inc.

Royce Cunningham – CEO of Architectural Services Group

Patty Lloyd – Director of Sustainability at Leopardo

 

The Plan

  • Develop and implement a strategy and timeline for installing on-site solar array installations on CPS buildings that will provide energy directly to the host school.
  • Develop community solar models that enable schools to purchase solar energy from sites outside of CPS.
  • Support other renewable energy procurement options, such as the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits from existing solar and wind projects.
  • Develop a resource guide and webinar trainings for K-12 teachers focused on the climate crisis and renewable energy. Materials will connect students to the solar energy installation at their school as well as information about opportunities and jobs in renewable energy.

CPS Zero Waste

Building upon SGA’s work over the past several years to support food scrap composting system integration and education in to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), CPS Zero Waste is a collaboration between CPS and SGA to scale up composting and other waste reduction strategies across the district. SGA is working directly with CPS Director of Energy and Sustainability Sandrine Schultz and JLL Consultant Madeleine Sims on the initiative. SGA’s work is funded by Peoples Gas and Food:Land:Opportunity (Chicago Community Trust and the Kindship Foundation), and includes:

  • Supporting SGA’s original 14 pilot schools with maintaining and improving their food scrap collection/compost hauling operations
  • Adding 10 new pilot schools to the mix
  • Working with CPS and partners to figure out strategies for scaling up composting and waste reduction across the district, including:
  • policies; standard operating procedures; training; economic feasibility; determining who’s responsible for different labor components; and exploring opportunities to synch up hauling routes with the City of Chicago. Stay tuned!
Contact us for more information or to support this critical work.

Gary Cuneen, Executive Director – gary@sevengenerationsahead.org