Montana

Solar Efficiency Rank: #37 in the nation (1,198 MWh/year*)

Number of schools in state: 926

Solar Total Output Rank: #40 in the nation (1,109 GWh/year* and 0.7% of Total US Output potential)

* Calculations assume that schools install a 1 MWp solar array

Average Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of a 1 MWp solar panel array installed in a school within that zip code. 

Dark-red colored zip codes have higher PVOUT values and correlate to ideal regions for solar panels. These regions often have higher elevation, more exposure to sunlight, and latitude values closer to the equator. Solar arrays in these locations will outperform those placed in yellow or orange colored zip codes. 

Number of Schools, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the number of local schools in that region. Dense population centers (like cities) have smaller land-area and higher number of schools in each zip code. 

Total Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the total Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of 1 MWp solar panel arrays installed at every school in that zip code. 

Areas with higher density of population, and therefore a larger number of schools, will show up as dark-red on the map. As decisions to “go solar” are often made by local school boards, communities in these regions can make an outsized impact. 

Top 10 Schools in the State

Schools are sorted by solar potential. The schools below are the best candidates in the state for installing (or expanding) solar panel arrays:

Rank School Address Solar Potential
(MWh/year)
1LIMA 7-81 NORTH HARRISON
LIMA, MT 59739
1319.69
2LIMA SCHOOL1 NORTH HARRISON
LIMA, MT 59739
1319.68
3LIMA HIGH SCHOOL1 NORTH HARRISON
LIMA, MT 59739
1319.68
4JACKSON SCHOOL415 JARDINE
JACKSON, MT 59736
1315.07
5GRANT SCHOOL11700 HWY 324
DILLON, MT 59725
1308.70
6PARKVIEW SCHOOL22 N COTTOM
DILLON, MT 59725
1302.25
7BEAVERHEAD CO HIGH SCHOOL104 NORTH PACIFIC STREET
DILLON, MT 59725
1302.16
8DILLON MIDDLE SCHOOL14 N COTTOM
DILLON, MT 59725
1302.13
9WISDOM SCHOOL408 ELM STREET
WISDOM, MT 59761
1290.80
10REICHLE SCHOOL6715 SCHOOLHOUSE RD
GLEN, MT 59732
1285.51