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Schools

Sunshine School System: Is Solar Power in Northport's Future?

The board heard a presentation on solar power, a new testing system, outstanding music students and more were all discussed at the Jan. 24 Board of Ed meeting

Would solar power be beneficial to Northport's bottom line?

Calling the roof of the Northport High School a “solar man’s dream” for its size, flatness, and lack of obstacles, Ben Waller, a representative from  Mercury Solar Systems in Holbrook said yes.

Waller told the Board of Education in a presentation Monday that the district would save approximately $140,00 the first year, mostly through a LIPA rebate if a 50 KW system were installed.

Over 25 years, the district would recognize approximately $6.7 million in savings. The current annual cost of electricity for the high school is $235,000.

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Waller stressed that the installment process is relatively simple, and would take a week to a couple of months depending on the number of panels installed.  Power would not need to be shut off and classes could continue normally.  

East Northport resident Albert Prisco asked about any drawbacks involved in installing a system. Waller conceded that solar technology hasn’t advanced as quickly as the computer industry, but if advances were made, the district might end up overpaying for the solar panels.

The total cost for a turn-key system is $250,000.  Deduct the LIPA rebate of $137,500 and the net school cost to the district would be $112,500.  A lease option is also available, in which the school district would make monthly lease payments with escalations for 10 years, with an option to purchase the system in year 11 for $50,000. Kathleen Molander, Assistant Superintendent for Business, confirmed that voter approval would be needed in either scenario.

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Trustee Andrew Rapiejko asked about maintaining the roof if solar panels were installed. Waller said that the panels can be easily removed if the roof needed to be replaced, which normally is needed about every 20 years.  Superintendent Marylou McDermott said that, to her recollection, the high school roof was replaced eight or nine years ago.

Board President Stephen Waldenburg and Trustee Lori McCue both asked about safety concerns. Waller said the panels are designed to withstand 120 mph winds, and that the system uses the same electrical current that is currently in place so there are no safety issues.

At the end of the presentation, Waldenburg thanked Waller for his time and said, “I think the Board’s got some thinking to do on this.”

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