Solar panels generating revenue, interest among schools (NJ)

[jpak]

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/131472.html

The solar panels that line the roofs of the three public schools in Margate have generated more than power - they also have earned rebates and energy credits the district can sell to offset costs.

"We got $126,000 in 2007," Margate Superintendent Dominick Potena said. "I think everyone should do this."

They are. More school districts are investing in the potential profits of solar power. Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County, Stafford Township in Ocean County and Lawrence Township in Mercer County are all asking voters to approve bond questions Tuesday that include installing solar panels.
While they emphasize the energy savings, district officials also promote the potential to make money by turning school roofs into miniature solar power plants.

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Egg Harbor Township officials have included the solar panels in an almost $28 million ballot question that also calls for replacing roofs and other repairs. The district has estimated the solar panels will cut the district's electricity bill by $443,000 per year, plus generate about $750,000 annually in energy credits. The state will pay 56 percent of the project cost through debt service aid.

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[NJmaverick]

1. It's a great idea and hopefully will catch on with the other schools

it could put a nice dent in our electrical needs if all schools went solar.

[Oerdin]

2. All those subsidies.

And solar is still way more expensive then anything else on the market. Decade after decade solar backers promise huge miracles which never happen.

I won't pay 2-3 times more for solar and most Americans won't either so let's have some real solutions please.

[diane in sf]

3. The price has dropped massively in the last twenty years and continues to drop.

A lot of people are willing to pay for cleaner power at a fixed price and their numbers will increase with buy back programs like the one in Germany. California and several other states are currently working on such programs. Thin film and other new solar technologies should continue to allow price drops.

Solar and wind have received nothing like the subsidies offered to coal, petroleum and nukes and yet they continue to get cheaper and better. The Iraq war and our poisoned planet are only part of the price we are now paying for dirty power.