Solar Panel Work Commences At 3 Vernon Schools

VERNON, CT — Work began progressing Thursday on three solar panel projects at three Vernon schools.

At Lake Street School, brush toward the rear of the property was cleared last week and equipment was being transported via a makeshift road that traveled behind the existing playscape Thursday. Solar panels will be installed toward the rear of the backpacking area, school system officials said.

At Northeast School, heavy materials were being shuffled around the back parking lot Thursday. Eventually solar panels will find their way to the rooftop.

At Center Road School Thursday, large steel stanchions were being delivered. They will eventually become the framework for parking canopies with solar panels on top.

The work is expected to the about there weeks to complete, officials said.

Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said the project is a partnership with EarthLight and there is not up-front cost to the town. The company gets a share of electricity profits through a state program, he said.

Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said the cost of electricity for the local education system goes down 4 cents per kilowatt hour with the panels.

Purcaro said traditional power consumption between the three schools and the police station, which borders CRS and shares the parking lot, is projected to go down by 633,296 kilowatt hours each year.

That translates to a savings of $1.299 million over 25 years, Purcaro said.

"And that dips into what is required for a taxpayer-funded budget," Purcaro said. "It's a smart way to lighten the burden on the taxpayers without any up-front costs to the town."