Posted on Tue, Apr 16, 2013 : 5:55 p.m.
Donor pledges up to $70,000 to install solar panels at Manchester schools
By Danielle Arndt
An anonymous donor has pledged between $50,000 and $70,000 to help the Manchester Community Schools install solar panels on the roofs of its facilities to reduce the district's energy costs, the Manchester Enterprise reported.
Installing 52 solar panels would cost Manchester about $78,000 and save the district $200 per month in energy costs, the newspaper wrote. But not all Board of Education members are in favor of the solar panel project, the Enterprise says.
The solar energy generated would not be used by the district, but rather would be sold back to DTE Energy for the estimated savings.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
genetracy
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
Like Ann Arbor, maybe Manchester can build their very own wind turbine and save an additional $10 a month.
Greg
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 11:20 a.m.
People need to stop believing everything they hear and do some research themselves. Either take the time and effort to do so or read a book like GREEN ILLUSTIONS (AA Library) which is written by an enviromentalist who bothered to do the research. Solar panels rarely get above 30% of their potential output as most do not track the sun or have someone cleaning the dirt and dust off the panels every week. Also very bad chemicals are used to produce these panels which is not being considered at all. Not nearly as nice as the it feels so good to be green group are telling people.
walker101
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
The rate increases over the next 10 years will suck any savings made with the panels, why not just give to the transportation for bus services that will go towards getting kids to schools.
johnnya2
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 4 a.m.
Actually rate increases will make the payback faster for the schools. Plus, if a DONOR wants to give money, THEY decide where the money goes. This is not presented asan either or, it is take it for this, or dont get it.
dotdash
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 12:32 a.m.
What is the life expectancy of a solar panel? It will take 32.5 years to break even.
BobbyJohn
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 6:52 p.m.
About 20 years is typical life expectancy