The Adams County/Ohio Valley School District this week will activate solar technology that could save almost $260,000 annually. The district is flipping the switch on a 535 KW photovoltaic array which, according to The Ledger Independent, is part of a comprehensive energy management project with Energy Optimizers USA and Kastle Solar LLC.
The array consists of 100,000 square feet of solar panels that are on school roofs or nearby fields. In addition to the solar power, the boiler plant in the Career Technical Center has been overhauled; the district has switched from oil to propane; LED lighting and occupancy sensors have been installed; Web control of the HVAC systems was added and energy-efficient features upgraded the kitchen exhaust fans.
The upgrades were made under the Ohio School Facilities Commission’s House Bill 264 program, which enabled the moves to be made with no cost to taxpayers.
School Districts offer big opportunities for energy savings. The Northwest Area School District, which is headquartered in Shickshinny, PA, was given a $10,000 check by ABM, a Pittsburgh company. The payment was for federal tax credits related to energy efficiency programs the school district has undertaken since 2010, according to the Times Leader.