A Vision for Sustainable Schools
Barrington School District 220 is located in suburban Chicago. When district leaders identified opportunities to reduce long-term energy costs and modernize aging systems, they developed a strategic, four-phase facility improvement plan—focused on sustainability, comfort, and future-ready learning environments.
In partnership with Performance Services, the District launched a comprehensive program to improve system performance, reduce operational expenses, and meet their growing sustainability goals.
Four Phases of Smart Upgrades
The four-phase plan included infrastructure improvements and renewable energy investments across multiple campuses. Each phase was designed to align with the District’s educational mission while providing measurable value through operational efficiency and energy generation.
Key improvements included:
-
Installation of four new rooftop units (RTUs) at Barrington High School’s gym, delivering more reliable hot water heating and DX cooling in a high-use, high-impact space
-
Three roof-mounted solar photovoltaic systems across the district, totaling a combined 3.01 MW of renewable energy capacity:
-
Barrington High School: 1.60 MW
-
Barrington Middle School – Prairie Campus: 693 kW
-
Barrington Middle School – Station Campus: 713 kW
-
These improvements helped address immediate system needs while positioning the District for long-term operational and environmental gains.
Results That Matter
With all three solar systems now installed and operational, Barrington 220 is projected to generate $14.1 million in total cumulative savings over 20 years, supported by a powerful combination of financial incentives:
-
$739,294 in utility rebates
-
$2,521,646 in solar renewable energy credit (SREC) revenue
-
$2,402,316 in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives
These savings directly offset project costs while significantly reducing the District’s reliance on traditional energy sources—strengthening their commitment to both fiscal and environmental responsibility.
