Mosaic Associates and Integrated Building Systems recently collaborated on the design and implementation of a solar array for the Arlington Central School District located in Poughkeepsie, NY. Two fields of solar panels consisting of 52 panels each were installed on the roof of the Arlington High School. The solar panels are expected to produce more than 127,000 kilowatt hours saving the school district more than $150,000 over the next 25 years.
The solar array was initiated in 2008 by Arlington High School’s Club ACTION. As part of the club’s mission to bring awareness about pressing local and global political issues, they declared “Going Green” as a priority focus.
Mr. Jacob Lawrence, instructor for the Going Green class emphasizes the importance of this project: “Not only will this save valuable tax dollars, it will also help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere. Since the power companies produce most of their electricity by burning fossil fuels, this solar array will hopefully be a symbol that Arlington cares about its impact on the environment. I think it also speaks well for our school district – that a few motivated students can accomplish incredible goals.”
Members of the club met with Congressman Hall to ask for help with funding the solar energy project for which he secured a grant from the Dyson Foundation. Scott Swenson, a principal with Integrated Building Systems prepared the grant from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). The project was fully funded through both of these grant opportunities.
Two public display meters – one in the District Science Room and one in the main lobby will allow student and community members to see how much electricity is being solar-generated. The Arlington Going Green class will analyze the performance of the solar panels under different conditions including changes that occur during daily weather patterns and throughout the seasons.
Last Spring, Mosaic and Integrated Building Systems collaborated with Shenendehowa Central School District to secure a NYSERDA grant to implement a photovoltaic system at High School East. The 50 kilowatt solar array consisting of 280 panels was mounted on the roof of the auditorium at High School East and is expected to produce up to 60,000 kilowatt hours per year saving the district $9,000 annually. The District plans to use the solar photovoltaic array as an education tool as well.
“This is the first significant step towards alternate energy sources, as a way to maximize emerging technologies and contain utility costs, while at the same time being environmentally friendly,” said Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson.