New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has announced that $4.5 million in federal stimulus funding is now available to 15 school districts for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. The projects will create jobs, he said, and allow schools to invest in energy-saving technology.
“These new solar systems will not only create jobs and help these schools reduce their utility bills, but the entire process – from installation to monitoring the energy and cost savings – will serve as an invaluable educational tool for both students and teachers,” Mr. Richardson said in a prepared statement. “We want these projects to inspire students to pursue education and jobs in New Mexico’s emerging green economy.”
The 15 school districts were selected through a competitive application process. The money will be used to buy and install a 50-kilowatt solar PV system at one school in each of the 15 districts. The funding works out to $6 per watt for the solar projects.
If that ends up as the average price for a system, the 25-year cost of the electricity is estimated by Sunpluggers.com to be approximately 18 cents per kilowatt-hour, based on production estimates from calculators maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Production output of solar modules is typically warranted for 25 years, but systems may produce electricity for longer, in which case the cost per kwh would be lower. A price of 18 cents per kwh is competitive with typical utility peak daytime electricity rates.
“Districts can look forward to lower utility bills, and students can expect new hands-on learning opportunities,” Secretary of Education Veronica C. Garcia said.
The Public Education Department will manage the projects and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department will provide technical assistance.
“We are pleased that the renewable-energy projects at these schools will provide jobs for New Mexicans at a time when they are greatly needed,” said Cabinet Secretary Jon Goldstein of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. “And we are happy to see so many additional projects around the state that help us to further reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources.”
The program will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment State Energy Program, administered by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. Through Recovery Act funding, the State Energy Program is overseeing 39 other renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects around the state.
Districts selected for the Solar Schools program are:
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Gallup-McKinley Public Schools
Moriarty-Edgewood Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools
Taos Municipal Schools
Hatch Valley Public Schools
Ruidoso Municipal Schools
Portales Municipal Schools
Corona Public Schools
Dulce Independent Schools
Penasco Independent Schools
Elida Municipal Schools
Carrizozo Municipal Schools
Los Lunas Public Schools
Belen Consolidated Schools