Innovation in Solar Energy is Growing in the Midwest Province of the United States

Throughout this process, the students of the Gesu Catholic School were able to conduct research on the benefits of solar energy and other issues related to sustainable development. In doing so, they learned to solicit grants, advocate for a cause, understand the benefits of clean energy for health, and understand their role in protecting the environment. The Gesu Catholic School students learned that asthma affects 8% of all Americans, 20% of Michigan residents, and 27% of Detroit residents. Since January 2019, Gesu Catholic School has reduced its emissions by an average of 21 tons per year. The solar panels produce 17% of the school’s energy during the school year and fully power the school and church during the summer.

More recently, the Christ the King Jesuit College Prep (CTK) and the Chicago Jesuit Academy (CJA), both from Chicago, have implemented large-scale solar energy programs. Since January 2025, the 322 solar panels installed on the roof of CJA have provided this primary and middle school with more than 110,000 kWh of electricity at no tuition cost. By the end of 2025, the savings amounted to over $3,000. Since late October 2024, CTK, a co-ed high school of the Cristo Rey Network, has produced over 401,778 kWh of electricity through its 719 rooftop solar panels, resulting in nearly $44,000 in savings by the end of December 2025.

These three school projects have been financed through federal and state grants, public utility incentives, as well as the support of John and Susan Dewan, co-founders of Dewan Solar and The John & Susan Dewan Foundation in Chicago.

“The installation of solar panels at CTK brings us closer to a future that we can all be proud of,” declares Maggie Deady, a social science teacher at CTK. “Environmental sustainability is a key element of our Catholic social teaching. It is important for our students to see that we do not just speak beautiful words, but we also act when it comes to helping our environment and combating the climate change crisis.”