By Isabella Nguyen & Lilac Nguyen, Contributing Writers

What happens atop the LOC, beyond the view of students below? What powers our school, providing us with heat, electricity, and light?

As climate change increasingly threatens Boston and its surrounding community, Winsor’s solar panels provide the campus with a significant source of clean energy and demonstrate Winsor’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. What began in 2019 as an idea from students in the Lower School’s Planet Protectors Club has transformed Winsor’s campus into a more environmentally conscious space, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

Lauren Folker ’26 began her sustainability journey as a member of the Planet Protectors Club in Class II. In the club’s brainstorming sessions, the idea for solar panels came to life. Motivated by the potential of renewable energy, Folker advocated for the project, starting with a petition in her homeroom. “I didn’t want it to just come from the club,” she explained. “I wanted to see if the community was interested in it [as well].”  

The project initially faced numerous challenges, from COVID-19  pandemic delays to difficulties with securing permission from neighboring buildings. However, through perseverance and determination,  the Planet Protectors Club celebrated the installation of fully functional solar panels on the LOC roof in 2021. 

Now, three years later, the panels play an essential role in powering Winsor’s campus by providing the Winsor community with light, heat, and electricity. According to Mr. Crompton, Director of Facilities and Construction, “The panel output varies from day to day but is usually between 23 and 28 percent of the [LOC’s] daily consumption.” 

Beyond their practical benefits, the solar panels also have helped the Winsor students and faculty learn more about their impact on the environment. For Folker, the project was a “learning opportunity” that taught her the value of taking initiative and proved that she could make a significant impact on the school. 

The panels have also allowed the Winsor community to “discover the importance of renewable energy [in urban settings].” Folker hopes that the monumental success of the project inspires others, showing that “if you have an idea” and “put in the effort and…time,” a project led by a student of any age “can become something amazing.” 

The Planet Protectors Club’s story illustrates how patience, perseverance, and determination can lead to meaningful change within the Winsor community. As global warming and climate change continue to threaten the future, Winsor’s solar panels represent one of many steps our community has already taken to achieve a sustainable solution for the future. 

Inspired by previous projects, including the solar panels, a new generation of Planet Protectors are transforming their ideas into a reality as they advocate for electric-vehicle chargers in Winsor’s parking lot. They reflect the fact that every student, no matter their age or the challenges they may face, has the power to leave a lasting impact on our community and our planet.☐ 

Winsor’s Solar Panels on top of the LOC Photo from SDC Companies