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We have a live kiosk link to the solar panels that monitors the energy produced. The kiosk provides four categories to compare kilowatt hours produced with houses powered, trees grown, CO2 offset, and renewable energy produced. There are different time periods to view by clicking on the bottom links of the site. The district has also set up public live kiosks in the middle and high school for students and community members to monitor the live energy production.
Northland Pines School District Solar Project –October 24, 2017
The Northland Pines School District is installing a total of up to 331 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and upgrading the energy management systems at the Eagle River Elementary, the Northland Pines Middle and High School. The solar PV energy systems will be installed on the Field House roof of the Middle and High School and on the ground behind the Eagle River Elementary School.
The solar PV energy systems' 1090 solar modules will generate approximately 430,561 kWh per year or about 22% of the buildings' use. The solar PV energy systems will serve as an educational platform for students, teachers, and the community to learn about renewable energy, particularly solar energy. The energy management system improvements complement the solar energy and will significantly reduce the district's electricity costs by reducing utility peak demand charges.
The installer of the PV systems is Eagle Point Solar, based in Dubuque, Iowa. Eagle Point is an experienced solar energy installation company, with over 350 installations and over 8 megawatts of installed solar photovoltaic system since 2010. Eagle Point has 35 staff members with multiple NABCEP1-certified installation professionals. Sun and Daughters Solar LLC of Sugar Camp, Wisconsin will help maintain the solar energy systems.
The projects are supported by grants from the Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program. The Northland Pines School District will co-own the system, along with green minded investors who will use their own funds and a loan from a Wisconsin bank. The primary benefit for the investors is the 30% federal investment tax credit which is available for qualified renewable energy equipment. The Northland Pines School District is a member of the managerial board that helps operate the project until the school district assumes complete ownership. The first option to assume complete ownership is in twelve years, for approximately $125,000; the positive cash flow at that time is estimated to be approximately $55,000 per year. The district may also request a 5 year extension and there would then be another buyout option at year 17, for a lesser amount. Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction of Appleton and Madison Solar Consulting provided the planning services for this project.
The solar energy systems are anticipated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 620,0002 pounds per year, which is the equivalent of what is absorbed by 264 acres of US forest in one year3. Their electricity output would meet the power requirements of 38 average U.S. homes. The District looks forward to completion of the project in November.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Michael Richie, Northland Pines District Administrator, at mrichie@npsd.k12.wi.us or by phone at 715-479-6487, Opt. 1, Ext. 1
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1 National Association of Board Certified Energy Practitioners
2 Emission factor of 1,664 pounds CO2 per MWh (source EPA power profiler)
3 Source EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
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