The Board of Education in New Haven has unanimously approved a solar lease agreement with Greenskies Clean Energy for a new solar carport at Wilbur Cross High School. The project is part of the city’s efforts to increase its renewable energy supply.

Project Details

The solar carport will be built in the school’s parking lot and will generate an estimated $60,000 in revenue per year for the city. The project is expected to start construction in the summer of 2027 and will be completed in approximately 20 years. Greenskies will own, repair, and maintain the equipment throughout the lease agreement.

The city has been working to increase its renewable energy supply through various projects, including the installation of solar arrays at other schools and non-school sites. The city’s old dump at 260 Middletown Ave has also been converted into a solar array, and carports at Bowen Field and East Shore Park are currently under construction.

Benefits to the School

While the new solar carport will not be directly connected to the high school, it will provide shade and protection from the weather for users of the parking lot. The city is also planning to offer teaching opportunities and a real-time energy dashboard for New Haven Public Schools students to learn from.

The Board of Education has emphasized the importance of providing educational benefits to the students, and the city is working to develop a curriculum associated with the solar canopies. The city is also exploring potential internship opportunities for students through Greenskies’ North Haven office.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.