Tippy Valley To Add Solar Panels
November 14, 2017 at 6:49 p.m.
By Carol Anders-
According to Superintendent Brett Boggs, they have been exploring the use of solar energy since 2014.
Boggs shared information on the proposed project during the school board meeting Monday. He said, “With concerns about reductions in state funding for public schools, it is imperative we continually explore opportunities that help our schools maintain educational programs and services by generating revenue in new and different ways.”
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If the board approves the construction of the solar panel at its December meeting, the units would be installed on 1.5 acres of school property located on the north and east sides of Mentone Elementary. The solar array would then be surrounded by a 5-foot fence. Boggs indicated the fencing would be necessary to prohibit public access to the equipment.
Boggs said they would plan for the installation by January in order to obtain a buy-back of extra electricity generated from NIPSCO for a period of 30 years. If the array is not completed by the New Year’s date, the agreement with NIPSCO would be for only 15 years, according to Boggs.
The estimated installed cost of the solar array is $825,000. The system would be purchased from and installed by Ag Technologies of Rochester. The steel supports needed are manufactured locally by Craig Welding.
Boggs said the estimated annual energy output of the 528,000 kWh solar array is enough to power the entire school.
He said, “The value of the estimated year-one energy produced by the solar array will be well over $70,000 with the additional revenue generated by the carbon credits from the solar array.”
Revenue generated by the production of electricity and the carbon credits could be used to cover the annual lease payments for the solar array.
Boggs said, “At the end of seven years, the solar array will be purchased at fair market value and would then belong to the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.”
In another matter, the school board had a first look at the proposed school calendar for the 2018-19 school year. Boggs said the calendar is almost identical with this year’s calendar.
If the board approves the calendar as presented, the first teacher orientation day would be Aug. 2 and the first work day would be Aug. 3. Students would begin classes on Aug. 6.
A total of 10 make-up days are built into the calendar for schools closings due to inclement weather or other emergencies to help ensure that the state-required 180 days of instruction are met.
Graduation for seniors would be June 2.
The board recognized three individuals Monday with Pillar certificates for their special contributions to the school corporation.
Those being recognized included Audrey Summe, instructional assistant at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School; June Yazel, teacher at the high school; and Dawn Rowland Norris, retired secretary/receptionist, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.
According to Superintendent Brett Boggs, they have been exploring the use of solar energy since 2014.
Boggs shared information on the proposed project during the school board meeting Monday. He said, “With concerns about reductions in state funding for public schools, it is imperative we continually explore opportunities that help our schools maintain educational programs and services by generating revenue in new and different ways.”
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If the board approves the construction of the solar panel at its December meeting, the units would be installed on 1.5 acres of school property located on the north and east sides of Mentone Elementary. The solar array would then be surrounded by a 5-foot fence. Boggs indicated the fencing would be necessary to prohibit public access to the equipment.
Boggs said they would plan for the installation by January in order to obtain a buy-back of extra electricity generated from NIPSCO for a period of 30 years. If the array is not completed by the New Year’s date, the agreement with NIPSCO would be for only 15 years, according to Boggs.
The estimated installed cost of the solar array is $825,000. The system would be purchased from and installed by Ag Technologies of Rochester. The steel supports needed are manufactured locally by Craig Welding.
Boggs said the estimated annual energy output of the 528,000 kWh solar array is enough to power the entire school.
He said, “The value of the estimated year-one energy produced by the solar array will be well over $70,000 with the additional revenue generated by the carbon credits from the solar array.”
Revenue generated by the production of electricity and the carbon credits could be used to cover the annual lease payments for the solar array.
Boggs said, “At the end of seven years, the solar array will be purchased at fair market value and would then belong to the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.”
In another matter, the school board had a first look at the proposed school calendar for the 2018-19 school year. Boggs said the calendar is almost identical with this year’s calendar.
If the board approves the calendar as presented, the first teacher orientation day would be Aug. 2 and the first work day would be Aug. 3. Students would begin classes on Aug. 6.
A total of 10 make-up days are built into the calendar for schools closings due to inclement weather or other emergencies to help ensure that the state-required 180 days of instruction are met.
Graduation for seniors would be June 2.
The board recognized three individuals Monday with Pillar certificates for their special contributions to the school corporation.
Those being recognized included Audrey Summe, instructional assistant at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School; June Yazel, teacher at the high school; and Dawn Rowland Norris, retired secretary/receptionist, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.
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