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Southington plans to own new high‑school solar installation; payback estimated under three years
Summary
Administrators said the district will purchase and own a solar installation on a new high‑school roof section; earlier school solar projects used power-purchase agreements (PPAs). The district expects a payback period of less than three years for the owned system.
District staff told the Board that the upcoming solar installation at Southington High School will be owned by the school district rather than leased under a power‑purchase agreement, and that the installation’s payback period should be less than three years.
Administrators explained that prior solar projects on other schools were installed under PPAs; the new high‑school installation differs because the district will own the array, receive the energy production directly on district meters and realize the related budget effects on the district’s utility accounts.
Board members asked whether savings or revenue from solar would go to the town or the Board of Education. A district staff member said solar production is behind the meter and that meters are charged to each school through the utility (Eversource), so the district’s utility accounts would reflect the usage and any savings. The presenter added that the high‑school project is expected to be owned by the district and have a favorable payback.
No formal action was taken; staff said they would proceed with plans and that the project’s details and financials are part of the district’s capital and operating considerations.
