The Centralia High School Board Monday night gave the final sign-off on the construction of two solar arrays that will provide 95 to 100 percent of the school’s power needs.
Superintendent Chuck Lane says the contract sets the district’s electric cost at 2.98 cents for the next 25 years, well under the current retail power cost of around 10 cents per kilowatt hour.
“There is zero cost to the school district. It’s just a win-win. When we first started talking about this we were skeptical on how this could be such a good deal, but it is a good deal. So we got in at the right time, had a good consultant with Ross from AGE and we are really glad we finally got the contract signed. So that will take care of the power needs of the district for at least the next 25 years.”
Ross Calliott of AGE says even if electric rates don’t go up in the next 25 years, the district will save 70 percent on energy costs or 3.6 million dollars over the length of the contract. The district will have a chance to purchase the solar system at a discounted price after 25 years.
Lane says the facility will be developed by GRNE Solar which will receive energy credits and tax incentives for their work.
“What they told us is that once they start getting the initial drawings, expect about a year. Depending on supply issue deals and all that I would hope by this time next year it would be all the way in, but we will have to see.”
Lane says the solar array that will power the Annex will be built on the north side of the Annex. A larger solar array to provide solar power to the main high school will be built across the south end of the large field the high school purchased across Calumet Street for future needs.
