CAMBRIDGE, Md. – It appears
Dorchester County Schools are making big strides to reduce their carbon
footprint - they're teaming up with energy companies in an effort to preserve
the environment.
3,726 solar panels now
blanket a field next to Mace's Lane Middle School. The project is expected to
help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to planting more than
35,000 pine trees or avoiding the use of nearly 2 million gallons of gasoline
over a 20 year span.
Washington Gas Energy
Systems funded the approximately $2.5 million dollar and will own and operate the
solar array.
"This project
required no up front investment from taxpayers of Dorchester County,"
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henry Wagner said.
We're told the school will
save nearly $80,000 per year.
"They get predictable
energy power pricing for 20 years, so they know how much they're going to pay
for the power that comes from here. They don't have to worry about it. And with
that additional money, they can invest - whether they hire new teachers or more
technology for the kids. They can take those savings and really put them to use
in the county system," Vice President of Business Development at Washington Gas
Energy Systems Sanjiv Mahan said.
The solar panel field not
only saves taxpayer dollars and reduces school emissions, it teaches students a
valuable lesson.
"Teachers across
disciplines have the opportunity to reference the energy crisis that we have in
our country and in our world. This solar field is an innovative example of
coping with these issues. The solar panels serve as a living model and a field
trip you don't have to take somewhere to see these concepts in action," Dr.
Wagner said.
The ground-mounted panels were installed
between October and December of 2012. Kenyon Energy and REC Solar designed and
installed the system. The panels will help power the middle school under a 20-year
power purchasing agreement with Washington Gas Energy Systems.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WMDT. All Rights Reserved. For more
information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
