Richmond, VT – The Mount Mansfield Modified Union School District and the Green Lantern Group have entered into an agreement to collaborate on two 500 kilowatt community-scale solar arrays, one in Green Mountain Power territory, the other in Vermont Electric Coop territory. The electricity generated by two arrays will benefit Mount Mansfield Union High School, Camels Hump Middle School, Browns River Middle School, Jericho Elementary School, Richmond Elementary School, Underhill Center School and Smilie Memorial School. The projects will generate an estimated 1,700,000 kWh per year of solar electricity and will generate significant savings for the Mount Mansfield Modified Union School District over the twenty-year term of the agreement. Green Lantern Group anticipates that both projects will be constructed and operational in 2015.
These projects are part of a broader initiative by Green Lantern, which is based in Waterbury, Vermont, to bring solar power and utility savings to schools, hospitals, colleges, municipal buildings, and private businesses throughout Vermont. To date, The Green Lantern Group has developed over 30 community net-metered solar projects in Vermont, totaling 12 megawatts of capacity with an additional 16 megawatts of projects in the works. “There are a lot of opportunities for schools and institutions as the clean energy sector grows in Vermont,” said Luke Shullenberger, President of Green Lantern Group. “Our development and financing program allows key community facilities to go solar and save money with no investment required.”
“ The Mount Mansfield Modified Union School District is excited to be participating with Green Lantern in these solar projects. The economic, environmental, and social benefits from projects such as this are meaningful for our schools,” said John Alberghini, Chittenden East Supervisory Union’s Superintendent. “We are always interested in opportunities with groups that represent local interests. The projects will provide most of our annual power needs, thereby reducing our annual operating budget. They dovetail perfectly with our goals to work towards environmental sustainability and support our communities.” “The two CESU solar projects are very exciting for all involved. They are great examples of environmental economic development,” says Luke Shullenberger. “They will create green jobs, increase local tax revenue, and generate significant annual utility savings.”
The Chittenden East Supervisory Union serves the towns of Bolton, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond and Underhill. CESU enrolls approximately 2,500 students, covers roughly 200 square miles and supports both the Mount Mansfield Modified Union School District and the Huntington Town School District administering nine schools.
– July 22, 2015