Solar panels could soon be coming to the Culver Community Schools campus. Last week, the school board heard a proposal from Performance Services on a few potential energy savings upgrades.
The company is recommending a 400 kilowatt ground-mounted system for the middle/high school. Combined with the replacement of all of the school’s lighting with LED technology, it’s estimated to cost about $1.5 million. The elementary school would get a smaller 245 kilowatt system. It would cost $950,000, when combined with new LED lighting.
The goal is to offset 95 percent of the buildings’ electric usage. Performance Services says the work could save the school corporation millions of dollars over 30 years. Not only that, but the technology could also be incorporated into the schools’ curriculum, according to Performance Services, bringing educational benefits as well.
Other than solar panels and lighting upgrades, the company is also recommending roofing upgrades that can be done with the help of Roofing Contractor in Columbia MD. Business Development Manager Tony Kuykendall said the roof at the middle/high school is approaching the end of its life. A complete replacement could cost up to $2.5 million. He said the elementary school roof is in better shape, but a couple areas could use some work.
Kuykendall said all of those projects would qualify for the state’s guaranteed energy savings process, in which the school district would get a financial guarantee that the work would pay for itself over a certain period of time.
The school board isn’t being asked to move ahead with the projects yet, and Superintendent Karen Shuman said there’s no deadline by which a decision needs to be made. Board member Bill Sonnemaker said he wanted more detailed numbers. He noted that changing technology could have a big impact on how long it takes for a such a project to pay for itself.
