South Glens Falls considering solar energy for schools

SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- South Glens Falls school officials are exploring a project to install solar panels for generating electricity.

The district plans to apply for a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to make such a project possible, according to Superintendent Michael Patton.

“We’re looking to hopefully work with a local engineering firm that has some experience (with schools),” he said.

The first step is contracting with engineering firm CSArch to develop a request for proposals to obtain electrical power from photovoltaic energy sources under what is called a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA for short.

District spokesman Monica Lester said the way a PPA works is a third-party provider installs the solar system and is responsible for the maintenance of all its components, as well as engineering and permitting work that is required.

This third party then sells the electricity produced by the system directly to the district, according to Lester.

South Glens Falls does not have to make any capital investment.

“The nice thing is there’s no cost to the school district,” Patton said.

Lester said the district does not have a timeline regarding the potential project.

The idea is for solar companies also to take advantage of grants from NYSERDA and other tax incentives, according to school officials.

NYSERDA has an open enrollment program that provides funding for both residential and nonresidential solar electric systems, according to spokeswoman Dayle Zatlin. The state sets aside about $4.8 million per month.

“It’s first come, first served, so the applications are put in and if we got to your incentive before the end of that $4.8 million, then you’re part of the program for that month,” she said. “Otherwise you’re put on a waiting list for the next month.”

The state has been providing about $1.30 per watt for the first 50 kilowatts (50,000 watts) and 90 cents a watt for anything above 50 kilowatts up to 200 kilowatts, according to Zaplin. The larger the system, the greater the amount.

“We’re assuming you’re going to get more kilowatt hours off a bigger system,” she said. “That’s our goal to get as many kilowatt hours as we can.”

The state has been providing around $9,800 for a typical 7 kilowatt residential system, according to Zaplin. This does not include any state and federal tax credits that may be available.

She said a residential system can offset a home electricity’s needs by as much as 70 percent to 80 percent depending on the size of the panels and the direction they are facing. South-facing panels are ideal.

At least 90 schools statewide have installed solar panels through the NYSERDA program, according to Zaplin.

The Cambridge Central School District is a bit further along with its solar power initiative. Superintendent Vincent Canini said at a recent meeting that Monolith Solar would be coming to the school to scout out locations for their solar panels.