Some Waynesboro schools could start using solar energy as soon as next fall, according to a presentation given to the school board Tuesday night.
Staunton-based solar energy company Secure Futures, LLC determined that solar panels could be installed on four Waynesboro schools, which could save the division more than $288,000 in energy costs over the next two decades. If the school board approved a contract, Waynesboro would be the second division in the area to use solar power.
Westwood Hills Elementary School William Perry Elementary School, Kate Collins Middle School and Waynesboro High School are all solar-ready, Secure Futures Senior Business Development Associate Loren Swartzendruber said at the meeting. The company predicts that solar panels would offset 30 percent of the energy used at those schools each year on average, which is equal to the energy used annually in 109 homes.
One of the most important factors in determining solar feasibility is a building’s roof, Swartzendruber said. Solar panels last at least 20 years, so they shouldn’t be installed on a roof that will need to be replaced within two decades.
The installation wouldn’t cost Waynesboro Public Schools anything, and the division would purchase solar power from the company rather than the solar panels – at least right away. This saves on energy costs because the company charges less for solar energy than the utility company charges for electricity from the grid, Swartzendruber said. After 20 years, the division would buy the panels from Secure Futures at market value.
In addition to installing solar panels, the company also provides curricula and training to teachers so they can tie solar energy into their lesson plans, he said.
Solar Futures was also contracted to install and operate a total of 5,266 solar panels at seven Augusta County schools this summer. The schools should be able to use the energy generated by the panels in early 2019, Augusta Public Schools Director of Operations and Maintenance Gregory Troxell said in September. The company has installed solar panels at the University of Richmond, Albemarle County Public Schools and Lexington City Schools as well, along with other schools and organizations, according to its website.
According to a timeline assembled by Secure Futures, if the school board were to approve a contract in February, the panels could be installed in fall 2019.
