Alteris Renewables in Wilton is powering lights above young heads across the state, building solar applications for schools.
The company”™s most recent project was at the Westover School, a private girls”™ high school in Middlebury.
Alteris Renewables designed, engineered, built, and will maintain the system at Westover in addition to other schools sites throughout the state.
“Westover is the 11th school in the state with Alteris-installed solar panels,” said Ron French, president of Alteris Renewables”™ Solar Business. “Through this project Westover is participating in a growing trend in education to show environmental leadership through their commitment to clean solar energy and energy efficiency.”
The solar system will produce an estimated 180,487 kilowatts in the first year of operation, which is equivalent to annual emissions from 14,600 gallons of gas, or 25 passenger vehicles. The solar system was installed on two buildings, including a dormitory that was built in 1909.
The school took part in the nationwide Green Cup Challenge, a competition to see which school could achieve the lowest electrical meter reading.
“Competing against other schools in the Green Cup Challenge for the lowest electrical meter readings heightened our awareness of the amount of energy we”™re saving with our new solar photovoltaic system,” said Ann Pollina, who holds the position of head of the Westover School. “Our conservation efforts play an important role in preparing students for a 21st century energy economy.”
Westover originally faced a financial hurdle to going solar because it was unable to take advantage of federal and state tax credits owing to its status as a nonprofit. The school overcame the barrier by entering into a 20-year solar Power Purchase Agreement with California-based Solar Power Partners, backed by US Bank.
Under the terms of the solar PPA, SPP owns, operates, and maintains the system and sells the electricity generated by the solar panels back to Westover at a fixed rate for the life of the contract. Pollina said with no money down, Westover is able to save on its electricity rates, hedge against raising rates and lower its carbon footprint.
“The system also serves as an excellent topic of education for students,” said Pollina.
