How much money will we actually save with the solar project?

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  Or a total of $502,000 over 20 years.  Originally it was proposed at savings of $715K, then $625K, then $525K and now $502K.  What will it really be?  That $502K is based on a projected rate increases of 45% over 20 years.   Our research projects electricity prices could remain flat.  It could be only $310,000 in savings, or less.  

This price was negotiated as a Region 1 school district contracted price for energy. Delivery by Eversource is approximately another $.106 per kWh. The School averaged $63,500 in annual charges the last two years.   Projected  first year savings will be $15,300.   Is that worth giving up the  Kelemen nature trail for?  

A power purchase agreement was signed on 8/30/22 agreeing to pay Green Bank $.109 per kWh The agreement was approved by a Special Town Meeting attended by 14 residents. 

An amendment to the PPA was signed by Brent Colley on 11/1/22 ( 60 days after the original).   We have been unable to get an answer why? First $.084, then $.109, then $.126 and now Greenbank is looking for an additional increase to $.13.    What will the real savings be? 

The revised PPA on 11/1/22 changed the system size from 209kW to 250kw.  With power generation going from 278,833 kWhs to 295,916 kWhs.

The system size increased by 19.6% while power generation increased by only 6.1% ? 

Is the SCS array too big? The HHS array is mounted on the roof.  It has 372 panels that are spec'd at 115KW.  The HHS array is less then  1/2 the size of the SCS array with 4 times the number of students.  We believe a smaller system should be put on the SCS flat roof.  

50% of the power generated by the array will be between June and September.  The Schools peak electric use is during winter and spring.  The excess power will go back to the grid at a cost of $.126 per kWh or more, and credited at the utility rate of $.0813 per kWh?  We have asked Eversource to confirm this.  

Solar panels produce most of their electricity  between 10am - 2pm.  The school will be required to pull from the grid before and after those hours.

  What is the estimated cost of penalties if SCS does not use 100% of the electricity generated by the array for the 20 years of the contract?

Are there penalties if the SCS tries to be more energy efficient?  

 Is the factory certified for:

 Environmental practices?

 Safe working conditions?

Fair labor practices – legal work week, overtime pay, no forced labor or child labor?

 Recycling one solar panel costs $15 to $45—significantly more than the $1 to $5 per-panel cost of sending it to a landfill, according to a US Department of Energy analysis. Oct 19, 2023