OACS News Service
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Immanuel Christian School grapples with nuts and bolts of solar energy For instance, the school has only been able to think about exploring this option because its financial situation enables this, principal Jasper Hoogendam points out, noting organizations considering this sort of project need to have some credit with their lenders. The school’s building design also makes the consideration of solar panels an option. Half the roof, which is all one plane, slopes south, and half slopes north, with a few variations on that plane. There are also no major barriers near the school, such as trees. Under current investigation by an ad hoc committee is whether the roof, retrofitted about 15 years ago, can hold the weight of the solar panel equipment. This entails an investigation with the contractors who had the trusses designed and installed. The flat roof of the gym must also be taken into account, including the life expectancy of the rain barrier and whether it needs to be replaced prematurely so that equipment doesn’t need to be removed a few years into the project. Another step is checking insurance policy issues with solar panelling. Financing is also a consideration. Hoogendam says a recent committee meeting highlighted it would be reasonable to raise $100,000 of the $500,000 required for the equipment and installation. While concern has been expressed that this would take away from the annual contribution of about $50,000 to the regular school budget, Hoogendam suggests that even if that does happen, the school will have an extra income of $50,000 through the solar energy project the following year, if all goes as planned. Immanuel Christian School’s annual income from the solar energy project, through the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, is projected at $50,000 with the current rate of 72 cents per kilowatt hour. “I think it’s a matter of exploring what possibilities are out there, and it looks quite hopeful,” says Hoogendam in reference to the financial requirements. He points out grants are also available. There is also potential for the parent and support community to provide some trade donations around electrical services and steel manufacturing. The school is investing $1,500 into an exploration of whether the project is feasible, including $500 in application fees to OPA and $1,000 for the consultant. Hoogendam notes the investment is small, considering there are already some very positive indicators this is a feasible project. Should the decision be made to move ahead with the project, the school will have three years to install the panels and hook into the electricity grid, pending a conditional offer from the OPA. There is no liability if the school backs out during that time. Hoogendam says a public meeting was instrumental in opening the way for further exploration of this project, as the board was initially unsure of how to proceed. “That was an excellent move, even though it came from a sense of unfamiliarity and not being sure what to do right away,” he says. “It gave us a gauge of the general buyin.” Of interest is that a student attended the public meeting, and will be acting as a representative of the student body as the investigation proceeds. Immediately following the public meeting, nine people were approached to join an ad hoc committee to further explore this option, with all but one agreeing to participate. Findings of the committee will be put forward to school membership at the mid-November semi-annual membership meeting. Related Story: If you have feedback on this article please contact michelle(at)axiomnews.ca, or call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 27. |
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