Rooftop solar panels are being explored as a possibility for Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School. (Sydney Czyzon)
Rooftop solar panels could be a feature of Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School’s new field house and remodeled building.
The BBCHS District 307 School Board approved a letter of intent with ForeFront Power June 8 to explore the possibility of rooftop solar panels.
Superintendent Matt Vosberg noted the letter of intent is a non-binding agreement.
The California-based solar energy company installed and maintains ground-based solar arrays for a community solar project on 40 acres of the school’s 111-acre farm property in Bourbonnais Township.
The energy generated at the farm site goes to the community power grid, and BBCHS receives rental income from ForeFront for use of the property.
When first partnering in 2023, the parties set their sights on onsite rooftop solar panels for a behind-the-meter project, which would generate electricity for use at BBCHS.
However, it was determined at the time that the condition of the school’s roofs was unsuitable for solar panels.
BBCHS is now preparing to build a field house addition — a new structure which will have a brand new roof.
Additionally, the March 10 tornado and severe storms caused extensive damage to the existing roofs over the main building.
“All of our roofs have to be replaced,” said Ramie Kolitwenzew, chief school business official.
That means both the main building and field house addition will have new roofs that could support rooftop solar panels.
Kolitwenzew said the estimated insurance claim for damage from the March 10 storms totals more than $5 million.
BBCHS was scheduled to have a complete reroofing over the main gym and roofing overlays over the south and east hallways completed this summer.
Langlois Roofing had been slated to complete the work this summer for $299,000.
Due to the storm damage, that project will have to be reassessed.
The new estimate for replacing the roofs is around $478,000, Kolitwenzew said.
She also said she would be looking into whether there would need to be any structural or insurance differences in replacing the roofs with solar panels in mind.
Vosberg said the board was not approving any contract or committing to the rooftop solar project just yet, but opportunities for renewable energy grants will begin to dry up around July.
So, it was advantageous to sign the letter of intent in June.
He noted opportunities for state and federal grants are “significant.”
More information will be presented during the July or August board meeting about the potential pros, cons and financial benefits of rooftop solar units, he said.
“I think it’s our responsibility to do our due diligence when there’s an opportunity to bring revenue into the district,“ Vosberg said. ”The community solar [project] has been a big win for us financially, and I think we should get the opportunity to explore this as well.”
The solar units on top of the field house would generate about 828 kilowatts of energy per year.
Even more energy would be generated if units are installed on the main building as well.
Similar to the community solar project, ForeFront would own and maintain the rooftop panels.
Vosberg added that he still has concerns about a rooftop project, such as what the condition of the roofs might be after removing the panels.
He said the process of looking into the project could take several months, so the board has time to decide on moving forward with an official agreement.
Stephanie Markham joined the Daily Journal in February 2020 as the education reporter. She focuses on school boards as well as happenings and trends in local schools. She earned her B.A. in journalism from Eastern Illinois University.

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