Schools considering switch to solar energy

The Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center says it will be operating on only solar power soon.

Officials with the technology center said in early August a contractor showed up to an empty field next to their building, and about a month later it is filled with solar panels. They said they agreed to a 25-year deal with the company putting the panels in.

“This solar field cost GJCTC and the local taxpayers nothing. This is a power purchase agreement with Duquesne Light,” Administrative Director at GJCTC John Augustine said. “They assume all the upfront responsibility for the project. On the 25 year and one day it is given to us for nothing.”

Augustine said on October 24 there will be a ceremony for the project, and that is when they plan on switching over to solar power.

He said the solar energy will be enough to power the school throughout the year.

Cambria Heights School District said it is also looking into the switch, although they are in the early stages.

They said the potential money saved is a large reason for the consideration.

Cambria Heights School District Superintendent Ken Kerchenske said, “We think over 25 years we might be able to save as much as six million just by paying the reduced energy bill. We think if we were to purchase the panels ourselves, we could save as much as 13 million over 25 or 30 years.”

Kerchenske said the school buying the panels is risky because they would be responsible for maintenance of them.

Cambria Heights officials said they do not have a spot for the panels set in stone but are considering behind the bleachers at the football stadium or about 100 acres of land it owns behind the school.

They say talks have been in progress for months.

“Any of the companies we talked to would really be interested in starting this project next summer so we will want to have some contracts signed going into this winter so they could begin planning,” Kerchenske said.

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