The Groton Board of Education in Connecticut expects to save $40,000 per year in energy costs after installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at two schools in the city. The system at Groton Middle School has 560 panels rated at 230 kW, and the Mystic River Magnet School has 256 panels rated at 100 kW.
The Connecticut Green Bank provided Groton Public Schools with guidance through the Solar Municipal Assistance Program (MAP), which simplified the process of switching to solar energy, allowing the district to access the savings benefits with fewer hassles. Solar energy developer Verogy was responsible for the installation of the systems.
“During the planning and construction of the Groton 2020 initiative, which saw the construction of our three new schools, the community expressed interest in green energy options,” said Susan Austin, Superintendent of Groton Public Schools. “We have partnered with Connecticut Green Bank and received financing to install the solar panels on two of our new schools at no cost to the community, which will provide significant savings.”
The Groton Middle School and Mystic River Magnet School systems are estimated to save the district more than $800,000 over the life of the power purchase agreements (PPA).
“We will continue to explore future opportunities for renewable and green energy. As part of the planned roofing project at Charles Barnum next year, the BOE is interested in solar energy,” Austin said.
Groton is the latest in a series of successful municipal installations completed using Green Bank’s Solar MAP. Through this program, the Green Bank provides technical support to municipalities seeking assistance in developing solar PV projects on municipal buildings, such as town halls, emergency services buildings, schools and more.
“Groton Middle School and Mystic River Magnet School were designed and built with infrastructure to support a plan to install solar PV systems in the future,” said Rick Norris, project manager for Groton Public Schools. “Working with Green Bank through their Solar Municipal Assistance Program and their partners, CSW Energy and Verogy, over the past four years, the district was able to implement that plan. Groton Public Schools is currently working with the Green Bank for solar installations at two other schools and looks forward to completing these projects.”
The Green Bank also provides financing for the solar energy systems through a PPA, giving the municipality access to solar energy with no upfront installation costs, no new debt and no operation and maintenance costs.
“These arrays not only reflect Groton’s commitment to sustainability, but also provide a real-world example of environmental stewardship for Groton students,” said Will Herchel, CEO of Verogy. “By harnessing solar energy, Groton leaders are lighting the path to a greener future and providing their community with clean, cost-effective sustainable energy solutions.”
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