When a state rebate program that would have saved the school district $1 million expired, the project was deemed too costly.
By: Donna Lukiw
Plans to add solar panels at the high school and middle school won’t see the light of day after the Board of Education’s facilities committee and school administrators decided not to go forward with the project.
The decision to scrap the plans was made primarily due to the costs. During the Oct. 9 board meeting, board member David Lin said the project would be more costly than originally expected.
The solar panels which would have been placed on the buildings’ roofs, allowing electricity to be generated from the sun were expected to cost about $2.5 million, but a state rebate program would have reduced the cost to under $1.5 million. However, the rebate program has expired, and administrators decided not to go forward with the project.
"They told us unfortunately the rebate has expired," Mr. Lin said. "Without the rebate we cannot afford it."
Although the rebate had expired, administrators applied for an extension to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) but that was denied.
"The BPU has been heading in the direction of lowering the rebate amounts so that is most likely the reason why the appeal was denied," Assistant Superintendent of Business Tom Venanzi said.
Also, originally the solar panels were supposed to provide as much as 384 KW per year, saving the district $120,000 annually, but Mr. Lin said the engineering company was not able to promise the district a certain amount of savings.
"We’re very concerned because they weren’t able to commit to any savings," Mr. Lin said.
Another issue surrounding the installation of solar panels was the high school roof.
"If we ever need to replace the roof that could be a very expensive proposition," Mr. Lin said. "We’re not willing to move forward with it. There’s too many risks."
Solar panels have lots of advantages they never need refueling, don’t emit pollution and can operate for more than 30 years without any need for maintenance according to the Web site greenenergy.org.
Solar panels are being designed for Montclair schools and the district there plans to begin the project this school year.
Also, the Willow School, an independent K-5 school in Gladstone, installed solar panels when the school was built in 2003.

