The solar panels are up and producing green energy!
The week after school ended work began on the installation of 90 solar panels along the south facing roof of the main building. Within two weeks, the work was complete and NCCL began producing its own energy. This is indeed an exciting addition to the school's commitment toward "greening."
We are very thankful to all of those who helped make the solar panels a reality:
- The Longwood Foundation for a grant of $50,000.
- The City of Newark Rebate Program for $30,000.
- Wally McCurdy, long time Newark sustainable energy advocate, for his donation of $5,000.
- Families and friends of NCCL for their donations through the yearly fund raising drive.
- The University of Delaware Institute of Energy Conversion and Steve Hegedus for their curriculum development and implementation.
- The NCCL Grants Committee and its chair persons, Cal Keeler and Terry Foreman, and teacher, Sean Kerrane for their expertise and determination.
The panels will provide about 20,000 kilowatt hours a year, roughly 75% of the school's electricity needs. In addition, the State of Delaware pays the school for every 1,000 kilowatt hours produced through the Renewable Energy Credit Program. Within eight years the school's investment of $50,000 will be paid back and it will be producing most of the electrical energy needed to run the building.
You can come in and check production yourself; the monitoring equipment, named "Sunny Boy", is located in the breezeway between the gym and the main building.
If you have any suggestions toward our commitment to go green, please let us know.
