By Greentech Lead America: WTI, a subsidiary of
Tremco Incorporated, announced its largest solar power project in Pennsylvania
for the Neshaminy School District. The 3.36 MW Solar Array will be installed on
the high school and middle school roofs along with covered bus parking
structures.
The project is expected to generate renewable energy to
provide approximately 90 percent of the schools’ current usage. The $15 million
project includes no capital outlay for the Neshaminy School
District, Tremco Roofing’s 20-year Performance Warranty, controlled/planned
energy costs, and no operation and maintenance costs to the school district.
“By developing this solar project as a power
purchase agreement (PPA), we can provide an energy solution that required no up
front capital and provide fixed power costs that are less than the projected
market rates now and for the future,” said Dean M. Bekas, manager of the
Philadelphia area for Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance.
The project will
also include $2 million in upgrades to the Maple Point Middle School necessary
to receive the rooftop solar array. The project is being funded through energy
grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and
Economic Development (DCED) and through Federal Tax
Credits (ITC).
The Neshaminy School Board has approved the 400,000
square foot project in March and the construction will begin as soon as the
grant money is released.
“This solar project is a new step for us, but we’re
confident we’ll be saving money. We know how many kilowatts we use, so by
negotiating a fixed-rate we will save money. The project will also be
educational for students,” said Paul Minotti, director of facilities and
operations for the Neshaminy School District.