Northwestern solar power system up and running

WINSTED — After months of green engineering and construction work, Northwestern Regional High School’s solar energy system is online and producing electricity that is now being used by the district’s power grid.

The project, which is managed by the Vermont-based GrowSolar, involved the installation of 3,000 individual solar panels on the district building’s roof.

The system generates an average of 450 kilowatts per hour of electricity. The energy produced by the panels is expected to account for about one-third of the district’s electricity needs.

Superintendent of Schools Clint Montgomery told The Journal Monday that although the school is now using electricity produced by the system on a daily basis, the project has not yet received the “final blessing� from GrowSolar engineers.

“We’re still in test mode,� Montgomery said, adding that the district hopes to hold an official kick-off for the solar energy program in the next few weeks.

The celebration is expected to include the unveiling of a special television screen located near the school’s entrance that will monitor and display system information and statistics 24 hours a day.

In addition, Montgomery said a Web site that will provide access to similar information will soon be online as well.

“They are just beginning to get that together,� he said of the site.

School officials had hoped to have the panels providing electricity directly to the campus grid by the end of December.

But a Dec. 29 wind storm damaged 22 solar panels when a strong gust in excess of 50 mph ripped through a group that had not yet been bolted into the brackets. The project was delayed briefly to allow the damaged panels to be replaced.

To help purchase the system, the administration applied for and received a state Clean Energy Fund grant of $1.7 million, about half the cost of the project. The district will fund the remaining amount, and GrowSolar will continue to manage and maintain the system.

In addition to harnessing the power of the sun, a wind turbine has been proposed for the Region 7 campus by Torrington-based Optiwind. Montgomery said he hopes to receive a grant to help fund a geothermal energy system for the campus, as well.

If all three renewable energy sources were to come online — solar, wind and geothermal — the district would be powered almost entirely by green science.

Also, the high school is looking to enter into a partnership with Northwestern Connecticut Community College to develop a joint green work force educational program and build a green science lab on campus.