Solar installation operating on roof of Williams Elementary School (source: City of Newton)
Newton will install solar panels on three additional City buildings, bringing its total solar projects to 27, as part of an effort to make the city carbon neutral by 2050.
The new rooftop installations at Peirce Elementary School, Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School, and the Cooper Center for Active Living will contribute to the $1 million-plus annual solar savings by the City and schools, according to an article in the City’s newsletter written by Sam Nighman, the City’s Co-director of Climate and Sustainability, and Climate Action Coordinator Caroline Weiss.
The solar projects at both schools are in early stages of construction, while the installation at the Cooper Center will begin after construction is finished in December, according to Nighman. The most recently completed solar project, on the roof of Wiliams Elementary School, began operation in May.
“For us, it’s been driven primarily by the environmental benefits,” Nighman said. “We have a commitment to, by 2050, having the whole city be carbon neutral.”
City officials say the solar expansion demonstrates Newton’s clean energy commitment to residents and businesses. Weiss said solar panels installed on City buildings “are a great way to lead by example and show residents what’s possible in terms of solar arrays. They see it all around the city. Maybe that can be an inspiration to install in their own homes or businesses, too.”
Homeowners who make clean-energy improvements, including solar, are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit, which expires December 31. Another incentive is the newest version of the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program, which provides payments to homeowners for every kWh of energy produced by their solar system. The state also deducts 15% from income taxes, up to a maximum of $1,000, for the cost of renewable energy installations.
Weiss said…