On Monday, December 13, 2010, at 9:00 a.m., St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will host a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the installation of the photovoltaic energy system panels at George Washington Carver Elementary School located at 46155 Carver School Boulevard in Lexington Park.
Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools, SMCPS Board Members, other school system officials, and county leaders will be on hand to commemorate this event.
In April 2010, SMCPS was one of 21 recipients of the Maryland Energy Administration’s Project Sunburst grant which was issued to promote the installation of large-scale solar photovoltaic energy systems in public agencies. The $500,000 award issued to SMCPS will offset a portion of the capital costs for a 500 kilowatt system estimated at approximately $2.5 million.
The Board of Education approved the award of the Power Purchase Agreement with Perpetual Standard Solar, LLC, for the installation of solar panels at George Washington Carver Elementary School at their meeting of October 26, 2010. The Power Purchase Agreement allows for the construction and operation of the solar generating facility without any additional capital outlay by SMCPS. SMCPS will purchase the electricity produced by the facility at a rate below the current rate from its local utility company, realizing a significant savings over the 15-year term of the agreement. The facility will produce the equivalent of 80 percent of George Washington Carver’s annual electrical consumption and will provide educational opportunities for students at George Washington Carver, the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, and Great Mills High School.
For more details, contact Mr. Brad Clements, chief operating officer at (301) 475-4256 ext. 7.
