Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Bourne, Mass., has completed installation of a 663-kilowatt solar canopy that covers the school's parking lot.
The Bourne Enterprise reports that the 102-by-437-foot structure the canopy is projected to generate up to 20 percent of the energy consumed by the school building each year. School Superintendent Robert A. Dutch says that would amount to a savings of about $28,350 annually.
The school is financing the canopy over the course of 20 years through a power purchase agreement with Solect Energy of Hopkinton, Mass.
Upper Cape Cod Regional has 725 students from five communities in the Upper Cape region of Cape Cod. The school has 13 areas of vocational study.
Solect Energy says in a news release that the solar canopy will not only increase the school’s sustainability efforts, but also enhance its curriculum by showcasing renewable technology in a live setting to the students and staff.
The school's Environmental Science & Technology technical program focuses on protecting the environment through the use of science, engineering, conservation, communication, and economics.
“We are thrilled about the addition of the new solar canopy to our school,” says Dutch. “The solar array marks a new venture for Upper Cape Cod Tech’s students and staff, who will be able to utilize the technology as part of their curriculum.”
