The Freehold Regional High School District has been approved for $1.8 million in rebates from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program for the installation of solar photovoltaic panels at Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold Township and Howell high schools.
The rebates and promotions are provided through the New Jersey SmartStart Buildings Program.
This program “provides financial incentives, design support and technical assistance for energy-efficient measures including high-efficiency lighting and lighting controls, heating and cooling equipment, water heating, motors and variable frequency drives. The program is available to address the new construction and renovation needs of businesses, schools, municipalities and other commercial and industrial facilities,” according to information found on the New Jersey Clean Energy Internet Web site.
According to FRHSD Business Administrator Sean Boyce, the district’s representatives met with a group of architects to explore the possible cost savings of “going green.”
The term “going green” refers to an emphasis being placed on environmentally friendly practices employed by a business, a resident or a public agency.
Representatives of the Spiezle Architectural Group of Trenton approached district officials with initial calculations.
The firm was eventually directed to submit the applications to the New Jersey Clean Energy Program on behalf of the district.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $6.4 million. With the New Jersey Clean Energy Program rebate, state aid and actual energy savings, the program is expected to generate between $150,000 and $170,000 worth of savings per year, according to information provided by the FRHSD.
The solar photovoltaic panels will stand alone and will not impact any existing equipment. The panels generate electricity that will feed into each school, thereby reducing the amount of electricity being drawn from the power grid.