A District Committed to Long-Term Value
Since 2015, Grayslake CSD 127 has partnered with Performance Services in a bold, decade-long transformation of its two high school buildings. The district has completed ten performance contract phases and invested a total of $28.6 million to upgrade its schools. Each phase has been strategically designed to enhance students’ learning environments while boosting energy savings and operational efficiency.
A Holistic Approach to Energy & Infrastructure
Grayslake’s upgrade journey began with a foundational guaranteed energy savings project that unified multiple building automation systems into a single control platform. This foundational work paved the way for comprehensive facility improvements, including lighting upgrades, chiller and boiler replacements, classroom unit ventilator replacement, and science classroom renovations—ensuring that students benefit from brighter, quieter, and more comfortable learning spaces.
To further reduce energy costs and support sustainability, the district added a 2.68 MW solar PV system across two roof-mounted arrays and a ground-mounted array. The system is sized to cover 32% of the District’s energy needs. This project was completed in September 2017 and is expected to deliver $9.8 million in net savings over 25 years. Additionally, it will generate $8.5 million in solar renewable energy credits over 25 years and receive $671,475 in utility incentives and rebates.
Due to its success, this project was featured as a case study in the Solar Energy Industries Association report, “Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools Report.”
In 2024, the District desired to enhance sustainability efforts further with another solar project. Completed in 2025, a 1.7MW ground-mounted solar array was installed at the North High School campus. The array is expected to generate $4,231,961 in energy savings and $3,797,205 in operational savings over 20 years. The project was also eligible for a $1,867,463 incentive as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and a utility rebate of $403,650.
Building for Now—And the Future
Grayslake CSD 127’s multi-phase initiative isn’t just an infrastructure makeover—it’s an investment in student success, community value, and environmental stewardship. By combining performance contracting with solar innovation, the district has created resilient, efficient, and inviting schools ready to serve learners for generations to come.
