Solar panels are becoming more prevalent as a source of energy, and many schools are embracing the model as a cost-saving strategy, as well as a way to model stewardship for students.
A little over four and a half years ago, Sheridan Community Schools was one of the first schools in the state to begin the move to solar power. As the district nears the five-year anniversary of the implementation of the project, Superintendent Dave Mundy reflects positively of the decision.
Over the past several years the cost of energy has gone up at a fairly significant rate. Mundy explained that due to the decision to go to solar power, Sheridan has not seen any of these increases as they are locked into a consistent rate and will have this rate until 2048. According to Mundy, to date, Sheridan’s solar array has produced 11,536,693 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of power, which equates to approximately $1,361,329 of deferred cost savings and energy sell-back for the district.
Mundy explained that making solar work for a school requires collaboration and planning. Mundy was the superintendent at Sheridan when the solar project took place five years ago. (He left for a stint at Noblesville and now is back as superintendent.) He commented that Johnson Melloh Solutions (now Veregy) and Duke Energy have been great partners in this process.
Because of the precision in the construction and maintenance of the solar project, it has achieved 98 percent of the expected production. The 11,536,693 kwh produced to date is equivalent to powering all the homes of Sheridan for a year!
When Sheridan moved to solar, state law required power companies to buy back extra power that is produced during non-peak hours and use it on the grid. The law has changed greatly and reduced the buy-back price, but fortunately early projects were grandfathered in.
“Fortunately for Sheridan, its board and administration’s vision in renewable energy has secured major financial net metering benefits,” Mundy said. “Sheridan’s early adoption will get a one for one credit on kwh solar power when solar overproduces what the schools’ load is until 2048.”
Saving money is certainly important for schools, but Mundy also commented on the importance of modeling good practices for students. Students walk past the solar fields daily. They are safe behind fences, but they are very much part of the landscape. In addition, Mundy shared that the project could create a real-life learning opportunity as Sheridan High School explores starting a Renewable Energy Pathway for students as part of its curriculum.