WTI, a subsidiary of Tremco Incorporated, Tuesday announced it will soon begin working on its largest solar power project in Pennsylvania for the Neshaminy School District, Bucks County.

The one-of-a kind solar array project will be installed at Neshaminy High School and Maple Point Middle School. Power generation from this renewable energy source is expected to provide approximately 90 percent of the schools' current usage.

"During a time when school districts are looking for ways to do more with less, this solar generation project will keep electricity prices affordable," said Dean M. Bekas, manager of the Philadelphia area for Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance. "By developing this solar project as a power purchase agreement, we can provide an energy solution that required no up front capital and provide fixed power costs that are less than the projected market rates now and for the future."

The Neshaminy School Board unanimously voted to approve the 400,000 square foot project in March.  It includes a 3.36-megawatt (MW) Solar Array installed on the high school and middle school roofs along with covered bus parking structures. 

The $15 million project includes no capital outlay for the Neshaminy School District, Tremco Roofing's 20-year Performance Warranty, controlled/planned energy costs, and no operation and maintenance costs to the school district. It will also include $2 million in upgrades to the Maple Point Middle School necessary to receive the rooftop solar array.

"This solar project is a new step for us, but we're confident we'll be saving money," said Paul Minotti, Director of Facilities and Operations for the Neshaminy School District. "We know how many kilowatts we use, so by negotiating a fixed-rate we will save money. The project will also be educational for students."

This is WTI's largest solar project in Pennsylvania and the first to be completed at no cost to the school district.  The project is being funded through energy grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development and through Federal Tax Credits.  Construction will begin as soon as the grant money is released and is expected to take 10 months. 

6/4/2012