In Massachusetts, the Lawrence Family Development Charter School recently teamed up with commercial solar installer Solect Energy and energy consortium PowerOptions to install a 119 kW rooftop solar system.
Serving about 720 students from early kindergarten through grade eight in Lawrence, Mass., the nonprofit school system launched its new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) center in fall 2015, initiating its exploration into solar energy.
“We have a long-term goal of developing green, ecologically sound utility options on campus, so solar is the perfect opportunity to not only fulfill our goal, but also reduce utility costs and provide new technology for students to learn about as a segment of our STEM curriculum,” says Superintendent Ralph Carrero.
The solar array was financed and constructed through a power purchase agreement with Solect and PowerOptions. Solect owns and operates the project and sells the power generated back to the nonprofit at a reduced, fixed rate for the duration of the 20-year agreement.
Dan Terry, director of business development at Solect Energy, says, “We are always happy to provide nonprofits with solar energy, as it provides ample benefits to the organization, its students and staff, and the environment. It is especially exciting that LFD will be able to take advantage of the technological aspect of the array and incorporate it into its curriculum.”