Main Street Power Completes Solar Installs at Two Elementary Schools

Main Street Power Company Inc., in partnership with MS Solar Solutions Corp. (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley), Mercury Solar and the City of Bridgeport today announced the completion of rooftop solar arrays for two schools in Connecticut’s Bridgeport Public Schools district.

Mayor Bill Finch initiated the BGreen 2020 sustainability plan for the City of Bridgeport in 2008 to create jobs, save taxpayers money and fight climate change. Among the priorities of the BGreen 2020 plan is a commitment to renewable energy sources, including solar power. Bridgeport has been recognized for its commitment to renewable energy by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), earning the distinction of a “Clean Energy Community.”

“Teaching the next generation of conservationists the importance of lowering our carbon footprint to take better care of the environment is one of the highest priorities of our BGreen2020 efforts. This partnership with Main Street Power and CEFIA will bring a renewable energy source to two of our schools, and it will also educate students on the use of solar energy,” said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

The two PreK-8 schools are Cesar A. Batalla and Blackham School, with solar arrays sized at 217kW and 90kW, respectively. Cesar A. Batalla will see 10 percent of its electricity needs supplied by the solar panels, and Blackham School’s panels will supply an estimated 13 percent of its electricity demand. Mercury Solar constructed the arrays in three months.

The school district entered into a 20-year Solar Power and Services Agreement with Main Street Power, the financier and owner-operator of the arrays. The state’s Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) contributed local funds as part of its mission to deploy clean energy in Connecticut through private capital partnerships. With no upfront costs and electricity savings, the district can invest that savings directly in its students. In 2014, Main Street Power will provide training in basic solar education to two district teachers who plan to roll out education modules to students.

Since 2009, Main Street Power has developed and owns over 1,000 solar systems nationwide, saving over 25,000 pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere each year. CEO Amory Host stated, “We’re excited to support Mayor Finch and the City of Bridgeport’s environmental sustainability goals and to work with the teachers and students in promoting environmental awareness.”

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://www.solarbuildermag.com/news/main-street-power-completes-solar-installs-two-elementary-schools/]