Marian Ignites Sustainability with $100,000 Solar Challenge

Above:  The roof of Marian with a proposed solar panel layout.

Marian has received a base grant of $150,000 and an additional $100,000 matching grant from the Lozier Foundation to fund the installation of solar panels on our campus. With a total project cost of $400,000, this gift provides a powerful spark, and now Marian must energize to raise the matching $100,000 by Sept. 30.

With a large, flat roof and ample sunlight, Marian’s campus is an ideal candidate for solar energy. Once installed, these panels will:

• Reduce the school’s current electricity usage by 15%.
• Offset rising costs: While OPPD rates remain lower than the national average, local prices are projected to climb 3–4% annually.
• Operate discreetly: The panels will be invisible from street level, working quietly to power our school.

The savings are more than merely financial; the environmental impact is significant when translated into tangible terms. By reducing our reliance on traditional power, Marian will save 239,400 pounds of coal—the equivalent of an entire trainload—every year.

The reduction in emissions is equally impactful. For every pound of coal burned, the atmosphere is burdened with 2.07 pounds of carbon dioxide and .0015 pounds of nitrogen oxide. By making this switch, Marian is doing its part to support OPPD’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

"There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions." — Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ (211)

This project is about more than utility bills; it is an opportunity to live out our Catholic identity. In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls us to "care for our common home." This solar initiative joins a growing list of sustainability efforts at Marian, including:

• Lunchtime-composting and school-wide recycling programs.
• Transitioning the campus to energy-efficient lighting.
• A student-led Sustainability Club, which fosters environmental stewardship in the next generation of leaders.

Will you help us meet the match? Every dollar donated toward our $100,000 goal by Sept. 30 will be doubled by the Lozier Foundation, ensuring a brighter, greener future for Marian. To make a gift, select "Solar Energy Initiative" on our online giving page.