According to the U.S. Department of Energy, K-12 schools spend more than $6 billion per year on energy, making up about 11% of total energy consumption by U.S. buildings. Meanwhile, many school rooftops and campuses are undertapped resources for clean energy.

In an effort to help the environment and cut electricity costs, the Meriden, CT Board of Education approved a 20-year power purchase agreement with renewable energy developer Davis Hill Development (DHD). The plan to install solar panel systems on the rooftops of Platt and Maloney high schools was an opportunity to deploy clean energy to the town of Meriden while saving the schools 20-30% in electricity.

Identically sized 630 kW rooftop PV systems were installed on both Maloney and Platt High Schools.

Across both properties, the high schools are expected to bring over $120,000 in energy savings in the first year and $3.3 million in savings over the 20-year term.

The project is developed, owned, and operated by DHD, requiring no upfront costs or capital expenses to the school district. The installation, was funded by a combination of state and federal incentives, for which DHD applied through the state’s Zero-Emission Renewable Energy Credits (ZRECs).

“The school board's decision to invest in solar power demonstrates the immense benefits that can be achieved through collaboration with renewable energy developers and government initiatives. The success of this solar development project can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the Meriden Board of Education and Davis Hill Development, who have worked together to create a

sustainable and cost-effective solution for the schools. DHD has been a valuable partner in this endeavor, providing their expertise and resources to make this project a reality, all while requiring no upfront costs from the school district.”

- Michael Grove, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Meriden Public Schools