1. Groton Board of Education installed solar PV systems on Groton Middle School and Mystic River Magnet School.
2. The systems are estimated to save the district over $40,000 annually and more than $800,000 over the term of power purchase agreements (PPAs).
3. The Connecticut Green Bank provided guidance through its Solar Municipal Assistance Program, and solar developer Verogy was responsible for the installation of the systems.
The Town of Groton Board of Education has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on Groton Middle School and Mystic River Magnet School, estimated to save the district over $40,000 annually in energy costs and more than $800,000 over the term of the power purchase agreements. The Connecticut Green Bank provided guidance through its Solar Municipal Assistance Program, making the process of going solar easier for the district. Verogy was responsible for installing the systems, with the Groton Middle School system having 560 panels and the Mystic River Magnet School system having 256 panels.
Superintendent Susan Austin stated that the community expressed interest in green energy options during the planning and construction of the Groton 2020 initiative. The solar panels were financed at no cost to the community and will provide significant savings. The Board of Education plans to explore future opportunities for renewable and green energy, including looking at solar energy for Charles Barnum school next year.
Groton is the latest municipality to benefit from the Green Bank’s Solar MAP, which provides technical support and financing for solar PV projects on municipal buildings. The Green Bank commended the Board of Education for their commitment to sustainability and expressed excitement for Groton to start benefiting from their new solar systems.