Washington Gas Energy Systems to Build Three Solar Arrays for School District
Washington Gas Energy Systems Inc. today announced it has signed a contract with Caroline County Public Schools and Kenyon Energy to build, own and operate three ground-mounted solar arrays. Combined, these three arrays will become the largest solar project associated with a K-12 public school system on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The expected annual output of 3,100 MWh will help power North Caroline High School, the Career and Technology Center (CCTC), Colonel Richardson Middle and High Schools, and Greensboro Elementary School.
“This project represents a unique collaboration between our public school system and solar energy providers and investors,” said Milton Nagel, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services for Caroline County Public Schools. “We are pleased to note that this solar project will not only help power our schools, but also serve as an educational vehicle in our classrooms. In addition, there will be no upfront cost to the Caroline County Public School System to undertake this effort. It’s a win, win, win.”
Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc. will own and operate the systems under a Power Purchase Agreement and Kenyon Energy will install the systems. The three arrays of 919 kW-DC (North Caroline High School and CCTC), 796 kW-DC (Colonel Richardson Middle and High Schools) and 315 kW-DC (Greensboro Elementary), combined will create a 2,030 kW-DC ground-mounted system consisting of 8,288 solar panels.
“We are pleased to support the Caroline County Public School System’s solar initiative which is in accord with our mission to invest in the development of renewable energy assets for the betterment of all,” said Sanjiv Mahan, Vice President of Business Development for Washington Gas Energy Systems. “We thank Caroline County Public Schools for being our partner in this important project, bringing value to the community both educationally and environmentally.”
When completed in September of this year, the arrays will cover eight acres surrounding the schools. The greenhouse gases avoided as a result of this solar project is equivalent to recycling 745 tons of waste instead of sending it to a landfill, or taking 419 passenger cars off the road for one year.
“We at Kenyon Energy look forward to working with Washington Gas Energy Systems and Caroline County Public Schools to install the solar arrays and help integrate this technology into the students’ educational curriculum,” said Michael Dykstra, Kenyon Energy Senior Vice President.
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