The Montville Township Public Schools and Solar Landscape have energized solar arrays on six of the district’s schools, they announced today. Together, the solar panels on these buildings will generate 1.84 megawatts (DC) yearly; reducing the district’s total power bill by nearly $1 million over the next 15 years.
The solar project was made possible through a 15-year solar power purchase agreement which enables the school district to install the panels at no cost and purchase the electricity they generate at guaranteed discounts every month. The district’s utility cost savings are expected to be more than $980,000 over the term of the agreement.
The New Jersey School Board Association estimates that New Jersey public schools “have collectively developed more than 600 solar energy projects.”
Based on the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, in the first year alone, the installation will reduce carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to:
- 1.57 million pounds – or 7.8 railcars’ worth -- of coal burned, or
- 171 homes’ electricity use or
- 3,281 barrels of oil consumed
For Montville Township Public Schools, using solar energy to power school buildings was an opportunity to reduce costs, create educational opportunities for students and be a responsible member of the Montville community.
“Protecting our environment and fighting climate change is a priority for our schools, our students and our community,” said Montville Township Public Schools Business Administrator Katine Slunt. “By using solar energy, we’re now making good use of an untapped asset: our buildings’ roofs. Now, we can be even better stewards of our financial resources and lead our students by example in the fight against climate change.”
“In New Jersey, solar can work for everyone, especially school districts like Montville Township Public Schools,” said Solar Landscape CEO Shaun Keegan. “Not only are schools a vital part of the state’s transition to a clean energy economy, they are also valuable platforms for everyone to learn about how we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in a meaningful way. When Montville Township’s kids see that their school is making a difference, they know they can, too.”
In addition to installing solar panels, Solar Landscape will also be facilitating educational programming about clean energy and climate change for the district’s students. Todd Menadier, the company’s workforce development director, will work with the district’s teachers to provide learning materials and educational solar kits to targeted grades.
Solar Landscape and school leadership also plan to install a large-screen monitor in the Montville Township High School Rotunda. The monitor will be placed in a common area to allow students and others can see the amount of solar energy the system is producing in real time.
“As we confront the rising cost of energy, school districts must engage in projects that are sustainable,” said Woodmont Elementary School Principal Dominic Esposito. “We look forward to educating our students on promoting the benefits of clean solar energy in conjunction with Solar Landscape."
Solar Landscape installed panels on six Montville Township Public Schools:
- Cedar Hill Elementary
- Valley View Elementary
- William Mason Elementary
- Woodmont Elementary
- Robert R. Lazar Middle School
- Montville Township High School.
Solar Landscape’s innovative design enabled Montville Township Public Schools to boost solar energy production on the roofs of Montville Township High School and Robert R. Lazar Middle School by increasing the usable roof space by approximately half. All installations used Unirac module racking and SolarEdge inverters.