The Pershing County School District from Nevada is the latest of many across the United States that have installed solar arrays this year. The solar photovoltaic system is expected to produce much of the electricity needed by three schools in Lovelock, Nev.
The district recently received a $1.49 million rebate from NV Energy’s SolarGenerations program for investing in solar energy. According to a news release from the utility NV Energy, the solar panels were installed on parking lot shade structure at Pershing County High School and the Lovelock Elementary School, and on a covered walkway at Pershing County Middle School.
“We viewed this as a potential money saver for the district, as well as saving part of Mother Nature’s environment,” said Pershing County School District Superintendent Dan Fox, adding that the rebate and federal funding helped the project become financially feasible for the district.
The photovoltaic panels are expected to generate about 600,000 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity each year. This way, the distric’s annual electric bill will be reduced by $72,000 and the carbon footprint by about 450 tons a year.
“These projects will benefit the district financially and allow a more ‘hands-on’ opportunity for students and community members to witness alternative energy solutions and savings,” Mr. Fox said.
The nonprofit organization Black Rock Solar has also helped the school district to install 70 kilowatts of solar at Lovelock Elementary School in 2009.