Greentech Lead
America: Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS), a pre-K through 12 coed
college preparatory Quaker school in Montgomery County, is installing more than
2,000 solar panels on the school’s 140-acre campus. The project is expected to
begin in June.
The project is being developed by the Pennsylvania energy
solutions provider, UGI Performance Solutions. It will be designed and
installed by Maryland-based Standard Solar, a leader in the development and
installation of solar electric systems for commercial, government and
residential customers.
The system will be owned by UGI Energy Services with whom the school has entered into a power
purchase agreement (PPA). The PPA will enable the school to use the electricity
generated by the system for a fixed cost, lowering their utility bills.
The 473.7 kW solar photovoltaic system will be
ground-mounted and grid tied with an estimated output of 600,790 kWh. The
estimated carbon offset of a system this size is 414 metric tons which is equal
to almost 82 passenger vehicles per year and 963 barrels of oil consumed.
“Solar power, in its simplicity and efficiency, and as
a substitute to purchasing electricity generated from the burning conventional
fossil fuels, will become part of our curriculum (science, technology and
entrepreneurism), will save us money and reflects our intention to practice
good stewardship of our natural resources,” said Tom Gibian, head of
School.
Projects such as the
new community garden on campus and the solar panels will provide both food and
clean, renewable power to the school, as well as learning opportunities for the
students and community.
“Solar installations are a great fit for educational
institutions, providing significant economic and environmental benefits as well
as offering educational opportunities for the students,” Scott Wiater,
president, Standard Solar. “This kind of project can influence future
leaders while helping the Sandy Spring community and its students take another
step forward in their environmental stewardship.”