Mar 2 2010
Westover School, a private girls’ high school in Middlebury, has completed a nation-wide Green Cup Challenge, aided by a 158.60 kW solar energy system on two campus rooftops. On February 26, 2010, Westover held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the solar system.
The ceremony was attended by students, parents, community members, and state officials, including Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.
"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 (PV) system,” said Ann S. Pollina, head of school at Westover. “Combined with our other conservation efforts, including a co-generator, our new PV system will help us reduce the electricity we consume from the grid by 37.5%, results that we can see already.”
Pollina continued, “Our conservation efforts play an important role in preparing students for a 21st century energy economy. This PV system provides an excellent opportunity to integrate renewables into our Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program.”
Lindsey Holder, a senior boarding student from Atlanta, Georgia, said, “As a senior and a member of the Westover Environmental Action Committee, I am so excited and proud that such a long-lasting conservation effort has been brought to life. I am looking forward to learning how the solar panels will be integrated into the curriculum for Westover’s Women in Science Education (WISE) program.”
Like all nonprofits, Westover originally faced a financial hurdle to going solar because it was unable to take advantage of federal and state tax credits to lower the cost of the installation. Westover overcame this barrier by entering into a 20 year solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with California-based Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPPTM), 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. With no money down, Westover is able to save on their electricity rates, hedge against raising rates, lower their carbon footprint with clean energy. The system also serves as an excellent topic of education for students.
SPP contracted with Alteris Renewables, ranked on the Inc. 500 as the fastest-growing company in Connecticut, to design, engineer, build, and maintain the system. Alteris brings to the table the reliability required by SPP as the owner of the system.
The solar system will produce an estimated 180,487 kilowatts per hour (kWh) in the first year of operation, which is equivalent to annual emissions from 14,600 gallons of gas, or 25 passenger vehicles. The project contributes to Westover’s green initiative program, which includes natural gas line installations. The solar system was installed on two buildings, including a dormitory that was built in 1909.
“SPP’s commitment to helping Westover School embrace solar energy in a cost-effective, no-risk way is a great example of the momentum SPP has built across the nation,” said Bob Powell, president and CEO of Solar Power Partners. “We’re particularly pleased to count Westover in our roster of successful school and university solar projects, and look forward to continuing to contribute to the green transformation and environmental stewardship in public and private schools across the country.”
“We are proud to work with a leading private institution like Westover School and commend them on the steps they have taken as part of the Green Cup Challenge,” said Ron French, president of Alteris Renewables’ Solar Business. “Westover is the eleventh school in the state with Alteris-installed solar panels. 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.”
This clean energy project was made possible in part by a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. “We are pleased to have supported this second solar installation at Westover School,” said Lise Dondy, president of Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF). “Westover, which has renewed and strengthened its support of clean energy with this system, is one of the state’s 20-plus early adopters of clean energy among educational institutions. Because of these leaders, we now have a strong pipeline of additional schools that will be installing clean energy systems in the near term, teaching us all that we have the power to make a difference.”
Created by schools for schools, the Green Cup Challenge (GCC) is the original student-driven inter-school energy challenge. The GCC invites all schools to measure and reduce electricity use and Greenhouse Gas emissions, and supports greening efforts including recycling and water conservation. The Challenge empowers students and builds community, while raising awareness about climate change and the importance of resource conservation. Winners will be announced shortly.