State Energy Grants Includes $300K for Drury Solar Array
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A solar installation on the roof of Drury High School was one of nearly 100 projects across the state being funded by some $13 million in federal stimulus money.Gov. Deval Patrick announced the awards Wednesday morning at a middle school in Melrose.
"From the solar panels that will be installed here in Melrose to renewable power and energy efficiency improvements at municipal buildings in other communities, these grants are funding job-creating investments that will result in permanent energy savings and smarter, more comfortable buildings in cities and towns all across Massachusetts," he said.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said on Wednesday that the proposed 38-kilowatt photovoltaic system for the high school "was really a brainchild of the school system."
The $300,000 grant was applied for late last fall and came through fairly quickly. Alcombright said the credit should go to Superintendent James Montepare, Michael Rosenburg, Matt Neville and city Administrative Officer Jay Green for pursuing the grant and getting in.
Rosenburg, the city's superintendent of public buildings, said on Thursday the ideal installation time would be this summer. National Grid will have to be informed and the installation will have to go through a public bidding process. The roof has been checked to make sure it supports the panels; there's enough room to move them around or add on.
"The rough budgeting was two computer monitors, one for maintenance and one for classroom use that would probably be read only," he said. The set up would be similar to that of Williamstown Elementary School with spot on the school's Web site to monitor energy usage through the array.
The installation is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 39,631 pounds annually but is isn't expected to fully power the 700-student school. It will, however, help to reduce energy costs.
"The neat thing is not only will we be able to do renewable energy but it will be integrated into our science curriculum," said the mayor. "It will be a good thing. It reaffirms our commitment to green initiatives, helps in energy costs and integrates into the education. "They did a great job."
The solar array is the latest in a number of energy efficiency and conservation efforts the city's developed over last few years, including the LEEDS-certification of the public library, energy audits and efficient lighting in public buildings. The city has also applied for grants for new more energy-efficient windows in both City Hall and the public safety building.
The state Department of Energy Resources' Green Communities Division selected the 97 grant recipients from a pool of 133 applicants, ranking proposals based on projected greenhouse-gas reductions, projected job creation potential, ability to leverage private capital and expertise from other partners, and overall readiness.
According to a press release, the grants are capped at $150,000 each and awarded to help municipalities pay for shovel-ready projects at municipal buildings and schools, including solar photovoltaic and solar-thermal installations, thermal efficiency measures in oil- or propane-heated buildings, replacement or improvement of heat-delivery systems, increased insulation or window replacement and reduction of the total cost of efficiency measures.
DOER set aside an additional $825,000 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds to provide technical consulting services valued up to $50,000 per community. The 35 communities that qualified for this assistance — all but 14 of which were also awarded grants — will receive assistance from independent third parties with expertise in the negotiation and management of energy projects.
While grants were capped at $150,000, the Drury High project was doubled as a collaboration between the city and the town of Clarksburg, which sends most of its students to the high school. North Adams is the lead agent in the project.
Some $1 million in grant funding was awarded in the Berkshires. Also recieving awards were:
Egremont $145,170
For thermal efficiency improvements at the town highway garage and to add additional insulation and replace the heating system. Egremont will also install pole-mounted solar PV installations that will generate 3.2-16 kilowatts. Total town operating budget savings as a result of these projects is estimated to be $6,500 annually.
Otis $150,000
For thermal efficiency measures at Town Hall and the waste-water treatment plant, including boiler upgrades and building envelope upgrades
Sheffield $20,000
For thermal efficiency measures at Town Hall and the Police Department, including insulation, windows, caulk and weather strip ducts, repairing of cracked windowpanes and insulating hot water piping.
Stockbridge $66,479
For a 5-kW PV array at the Department of Public Works building, a water-source heat pump at the waste-water treatment plant, and an upgrade to the heating and hot-water system at the Interlaken fire house.
Tyringham $51,102
To implement thermal-efficiency measures at the highway garage, fire station, library/post office and Town Offices). The yown estimates that the completion of the projects will reduce the its fuel oil consumption by 27 percent, propane consumption by 42 percent and electrical consumption by 18 percent.
Washington $106,120
For thermal-efficiency projects at Town Hall, including a more energy-efficient boiler and building envelope insulation, and at the highway garage, including energy-efficient garage doors.
Windsor $137,500
For thermal-efficiency measures in the Town Office building and the highway garage, including building envelope improvements, boiler replacement and window replacements. Total estimated emissions reductions are 35,300 pounds of CO2 annually.
