Solar Field to Shave $30,000 Annually From Highland View Academy’s Electric Bill

Solar Field to Shave $30,000 Annually From HVA’s Electric Bill
Story by Lori Zerne, Artwork by  John Zerne

Highland View Academy has signed a 20-year contract with SolarCity, the largest provider of solar energy in the United States. SolarCity will install a 1.06 kilowatt solar field covering three acres on HVA’s campus. The solar panels will provide 100 percent of the electricity used by HVA and the Highland View church, as well as 66 percent of the electricity used by the nearby Mt. Aetna Camp and Retreat Center.

HVA’s campus uses 1.2 million kilowatts of electricity annually. With the reduced per kilowatt hour rate guaranteed for 20 years by SolarCity, the academy will save approximately $30,000 each year. Because SolarCity will cover the equipment and installation, there are no upfront costs for HVA.

In addition, SolarCity will donate $100,000 to HVA’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) program. The company will also provide the STEM program with a solar energy curriculum, allowing students to use the solar field and its data to engage in hands-on learning about photovoltaics.

Principal Mick Hutchinson notes that upgrading to solar energy helps the school embrace 21st century technology. He says, “SolarCity allows us to embrace the best of cutting-edge technology as a STEM high school, developing our environmental conscience while reducing costs and harvesting the natural power of the sun.”