MREA is trying to get Wisconsin schools to use solar energy

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is trying to get as many Wisconsin schools to go solar as possible.

It is an effort to help lower carbon emissions and cost of energy.

The MREA program's manager says each year, state schools collectively spend $175 million dollars on energy costs.

That is something she believes can easily be lowered and ultimately help students.

"Going solar and having renewable energy is a huge opportunity to lower that operating expense without cutting educational programming," MREA program manager Amanda Schienbeck said. "We're really hoping to use schools as kind of that centerpiece to kind of push solar adoption even more than it already is in Wisconsin."

MREA hopes to see at least 40 Wisconsin schools go solar and eventually get more to join the trend.