Latest news with #Envinity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Central Cambria board hears from prospective solar contractors
EBENSBURG, Pa. – Central Cambria School District's solar project at the Cambria Township campus has been narrowed down to two candidates, and Monday the school board heard from those prospects. BAI Group presented first, followed by McClure Co. and Envinity, which are partnering on the potential work. The order was decided by a coin flip. 'Both were fantastic,' Superintendent Jason Moore said. Thomas Woods, board president, agreed. Woods said the companies have 'solid reputations' in this field and the representatives provided great information. The district is exploring a power purchase agreement in which the chosen company, which will likely be picked at the June 16 meeting, will absorb the cost of installation and upkeep for the solar arrays and sell electricity to Central Cambria at a set rate for the duration of a 28-year contract. Potential array locations include the middle and high school roofs and Cambria Elementary roof as well as potential ground mounted units, such as around the football field or at the former baseball field. Moore said the Jackson Elementary project that recently was awarded a Solar for Schools grant is separate from this undertaking. Sel Edor, BAI general manager of renewables, told the four board members in attendance that his company could provide a roughly 2.5 megawatt array that would supply electricity at a rate of 6.4 cents per kilowatt-hours. 'Obviously, we want to produce as much electricity as you can use,' Edor said. BAI's proposal was for 80% of the campus's total electrical consumption. Central Cambria consumes around 4 million kWh annually at a rate of 11 cents per kWh, for a cost of around $700,000 per year, Moore said. Edor said despite BAI's proposal being 80%, it is possible for the Cambria Township campus to reach 100% offset of consumption. McClure and Envinity's presentation included 100% offset of electrical use at about 9 cents kWh. However, that would mean 'a lot of solar in a lot of places,' Envinity Commercial Solar Development Manager Cam Willison said. Christopher Stultz, McClure vice president of strategic solutions, said the cost per kilowatt-hour may change as well if their proposal is accepted. He told the board the companies would 'value engineer' the project and explore efficiency measures that could impact that cost. Greg Winks, Envinity director of solar business development, and Damian Zampogna, McClure Manager of renewable solutions, presented as well. Both sets of presenters said a ballasted system would be used for roof installation to avoid direct connections to the covering but still secure the arrays. They also projected the installation may extend more than a year. Woods said the reason the board is exploring a solar project is because the district wants to offset costs they can't control, such as electricity, and reinvest those savings back into the education of the students. He also said that when a contractor is chosen, the board will pay close attention to the economic and aesthetic aspects of the undertaking.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rural school district turns to innovative solution for rising energy costs: 'Will pay for itself'
Rising energy costs and aging infrastructure are challenges facing many school districts, but one Pennsylvania community is turning them into opportunities for growth and savings. Cambria Heights School District is betting big on clean energy and efficiency upgrades to cut costs and improve facilities for its students. Last April, district officials approved a 28-year power purchase agreement with Envinity and Solar Renewable Energy to install a solar array at the middle and high school campus in Clearfield Township, reported the Altoona Mirror. The project is expected to start this year and will cover nearly 100% of the campus' electricity needs at a reduced, fixed rate. Superintendent Ken Kerchenske estimates the solar array will save the district more than $2 million in electric costs over the next two decades — all without any upfront costs. The savings will help fund a $1 million Public School Facility Improvement grant to replace outdated boilers and install air conditioning for the first time at the elementary school in Carrolltown Borough. The district also plans to upgrade fluorescent lighting to energy-efficient LEDs. Should the government be paying us to upgrade our homes? Definitely Depends on how much it costs Depends on what it's for No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Over time, the lighting will pay for itself because it's so much more energy efficient," Kerchenske said. The push for cleaner energy didn't stop there. During a special board meeting in December, Cambria Heights officials approved an energy services contract with Schneider Electric Buildings Americas Inc. for additional upgrades at the elementary school. The board also signed off on a solar assessment as part of the district's application for the Solar for Schools grant, which could fund rooftop solar panels. "We're hoping that we can get basically free solar panels for the rooftop at the elementary school in Carrolltown through that grant," Kerchenske said. These projects reflect a growing trend among schools to invest in clean energy as a way to save money and support the local economy. With renewable energy businesses showing strong long-term growth, Cambria Heights is proving that sustainability can make financial sense too. Alongside its energy initiatives, the district is also expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students, including hydroponics and agriculture programs. With these investments, Cambria Heights is showing how schools can lead the way in both education and clean energy innovation. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solar power project on course at Hempfield municipal complex
Feb. 25—Hempfield is moving forward with a solar power project at its municipal complex. Township supervisors on Monday approved an agreement with Envinity, Inc. of State College for the construction of a solar array on the roof of a multipurpose building that has been erected at the site under development at Weatherwood Lane and Mt. Pleasant Road. The solar project was put on hold during a January board meeting after concerns that federal funding designed to fuel clean energy projects might be in danger because of the actions of the new presidential administration. Days after that meeting, President Donald Trump lifted a freeze on disbursing money under the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes money for renewable energy projects and energy storage facilities. "Certainly, there are still some unique issues that are out there based on the administration, but funding is continuing to move forward," township manager Aaron Siko said at a supervisors' meeting last week. Supervisors on Monday approved in a 3-2 vote a $151,012 agreement with Envinity for the design of the 114-panel solar array, supply of materials, installation and facilitation of a rebate, Siko said. A $12,750 agreement with H.F. Lenz for project oversight and construction coordination was approved in a 3-2 vote. Supervisors George Reese and Tom Logan cast the opposing votes in both measures. Siko said he expects to get $76,460 in rebates from the U.S. Department of Energy and a $73,400 direct pay tax credit from the IRS. After those reimbursements, the township's final expense would be $13,650. Construction continues at the 43-acre parcel that will house new township offices, a county emergency command center and a park. The solar array will provide power to the entire park, officials have said. Hempfield expects to realize its return on the investment in less than three and a half years, according to Siko. The array's expected lifespan is 30 years. Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@
