Search | Menu Goodman South Campus solar project will power learning and sustainability
A new rooftop solar installation planned for Madison College’s Goodman South Early Learning Campus will do more than generate clean energy. It will help lower the college’s electricity costs while giving students an opportunity to put their renewable energy skills to work on a real-world project.
The college will use a $167,824 Energy Innovation Grant Program award to fund the installation.
Saving energy and money
The system is expected to generate 125,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year, meeting about 35% of the building’s annual electricity needs. The grant will cover about 60% of project costs, with Madison College providing the remainder. Construction is anticipated to start by summer 2027.
Over its expected 30-year lifespan, the system is projected to generate more than $350,000 worth of electricity.
Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, said the resulting energy savings will support students and the college’s educational mission.
“Investing in solar energy has resulted in meaningful savings for Madison College while advancing our commitment to sustainability,” Ramirez said. “We are excited to make this important investment at Goodman South Early Learning Campus, while also creating valuable hands-on experiences for our students.”
The project builds on Madison College’s 2017 plan to expand solar energy across its facilities. It will be the college’s 12th solar installation, increasing its total solar capacity to more than 3,100 kilowatts.
Putting classroom skills to work
The project also gives students in Madison College’s Renewable Energy Technology Program practical experience designing and evaluating solar energy systems.
Students used drone images and specialized 3D modeling software to create a digital model of the building and rooftop. They used the model to develop preliminary solar designs and estimate the system’s electricity production.
Once the system is operational, students and instructors will compare actual electricity production with their estimates. The results will help evaluate how drone technology can improve solar system design and provide practical learning opportunities for students and industry professionals.
As drone technology becomes more common in the solar industry, workers increasingly need skills in drone operation and 3D modeling. In March 2026, Madison College’s CREATE Energy Center hosted a pilot workshop for faculty members from Wisconsin and Illinois to learn how to teach these skills. The center is developing plans for a national training program in 2027.
“This project will form the basis of a case study that will be used to inform students and teachers nationwide about the use of aerial drones for solar engineering design,” said Madison College instructor Ken Walz. “This will prepare the next generation of solar electric professionals who are also skilled as remote pilots and 3D design engineers.”
Madison College was among 36 recipients of a combined $11.5 million in Energy Innovation Grant Program funding. The grants support efforts to reduce energy use, expand clean energy technologies, improve preparedness and resilience, and strengthen energy planning.
Goodman South Campus opened in 2019 to serve Madison’s southside communities. It houses the college’s STEM Academy, which provides early college coursework for high school juniors and seniors, primarily from the Madison Metropolitan School District. Madison College renovated the former city fire station to create its Early Learning Campus at Goodman South, which opened in January 2026.
