Solar Panels Proposed for Pearson

WINSTED — Proposing a solution to rising energy costs, Selectman Michael Renzullo has devised a plan that will not only save the town of Winchester money, but is also beneficial to the environment.

At last Monday’s Selectmen’s meeting, Renzullo explained to the board and members of the community how adding solar panels to the roof of Pearson School can save the town more than $67,000 per year and possibly make the town money in the long run.

"I want to install a 500 kilowatt system," said Renzullo. If approved by the Board of Selectmen, this solar panel system will be the largest in the state of Connecticut.

According to Renzullo, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund grants municipalities and organizations up to $4 million within a three-year span for energy-efficient photovoltaic upgrades.

The cost of installation of each panel ranges from $5,200 to $8,000, depending on the system that is chosen. The grant pays $5,000 per kilowatt. For a 500 kilowatt system, the town will receive $2.5 million in reimbursements. In addition, installing the system at a school makes grant money available through the state of Connecticut Department of Education.

"One of the things that makes it a little more feasible for us, in addition to the grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, we will also get 70-percent reimbursement from the Department of Education grant," said Renzullo.

After the system is installed at Pearson, he anticipates that a second system will be installed at Batcheller School with an additional $1.5 million grant, with a 70-percent reimbursement, furthering the energy savings to the town.

The total cost to the town of Winchester greatly depends on the type of system installed. A site evaluation will be completed, free of charge, through the Connecticut Clean Energy fund within the next two weeks to analyze the proposed site of Pearson School. A design plan will then be submitted and solid figures for the cost of the solar panel system will be presented to the Board of Selectmen by Renzullo.

In his preliminary estimates, Renzullo says the cost should be in the range of $30,000 to $450,000 and will be paid off in about three years. More precise numbers will be available after the evaluation is complete.

"The system overall will produce more electricity than Pearson uses," said Renzullo. This, too, will benefit the town.

According to Renzullo’s calculations, a 500 kilowatt system will produce 580,281 kilowatt hours per year. At the current rate, 580,281 kilowatt hours costs the town of $67,312.60. With the system, this money will be saved annually.

"They are hooked up through the meter box. If you produce more than you need you can sell it back to the grid. If you don’t produce enough, you can buy electricity from the grid," said Renzullo.

"In the summer time, when the system is producing the greatest amount of electricity, no one is at the school," said Renzullo. This will create revenue for the town. In the winter, when energy use is higher, the town will reduce the amount of electricity used and save money overall.

"I don’t anticipate any problems," said Renzullo. "The only snag could be the structural load...but I really don’t think it’s going to be a problem."

Each panel weighs approximately 15 to 20 pounds. With a 500 kilowatt system, 500 square feet on the roof of Pearson will be occupied by the system. Unsure of the weigh load that the roof at Pearson can handle, Renzullo says that there are ways that the system can be installed to disperse the weigh should the load become an issue.

Should the system be installed at Pearson, it will be the third school in the state of Connecticut to install a solar system.

Renzullo is already planning his next energy efficient proposals and revenue stream for Winsted, including the construction of a hydrogen plant and a stem cell plant. These proposals will be heard over the next few months at board meetings.