SCS Solar Project to Break Ground to be Completed Next Summer

SCHOHARIE - Supply issues pushed back the start of the Schoharie Central School solar project, but work will begin soon.

SCS Superintendent David Blanchard announced this week that the solar project will break ground next month. "The district is looking forward to seeing the increased savings brought about by the completion of the solar system."

In June it was announced that supply issues pushed back the completion date of the district's solar project.

Superintendent Blanchard told school board members in June that the solar project has all the necessary approvals to move forward which includes NYSERDA, National Grid, and the State Education Department. Unfortunately, the supply chain issue regarding the panels and the inverters pushed the project back and the district is now looking at an August 2025 completion date.

This spring, building permits were approved and construction was expected to begin within a month on the district's 740-kilowatt solar energy project.

The project was approved by voters two years ago and it had been hoped that construction would take place through this summer and into the fall, but those plans have changed. 

The solar field is to be built on one acre behind the track in the "lower 40."

The project will eventually be a revenue generator for SCS. After paying the district cost for the project annually they expect to generate $130,000 to $140,000 per year, officials said. The total cost of the EPC was $2,750,000.

The project is part of the district's $25.9 million building project that was approved by voters in May 2022. The district looked at either putting more solar panels on building roofs or on the back property before making a decision.

National Grid has provided 90 percent of the cost for the building of the electric vehicle stations. Any revenue would go to the district. Each station would have two chargers each. The stations were installed last summer and operational by the time school started. Two of the stations were built by the construction area and the rest near the bus garage.

The project does not require any new local taxpayer funds as state aid and the current building reserve will cover the costs.