QUICK FACTS
See links below the solar project summary and an energy conservation update.
General Information
1 MW AC Power Generation, one of the largest solar arrays owned by a Pennsylvania Public School District
5,178 solar panels on 6.2 Acres of Land
Full 25-year warranty on system
Solar Array will generate 1,488,140 Kwh (kilowatt hours) on average per year
The solar array is an educational lab utilizing five (5) types of solar technology and deployment
- • Monocrystalline panels
- • Thin film panels
- • Fixed mounted system
- • Dual axis tracking system
- • Passive single access tracking system
Received $1,000,000 grant from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA), American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Received $950,000 grant from Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA)
Received $500,000 grant from PPL Act 129
51% of the project is funded by grants
The solar array was put into service on October 13, 2010
Awards Received
2010-2011 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
PennFuture Environment Award
SEIA & SEPS North American Award of Excellence
PASBO Award of Achievement
2010-2011 Pennsylvania Environmental Council Award of Excellence
For more information contact:
Karisa Lehman
Director of Facilities
717-240-6800 ext. 16812
[email protected]
On October 14, Governor Edward G. Rendell visited Carlisle Area School District to dedicate the newest and largest solar array deployed by a Pennsylvania school district. With a goal of generating 1 Megawatt of solar power—approximately one sixth of the district’s main campus power needs—Carlisle Area School District has been working with state, local and community partners to design and deploy this alternative energy solution. With a stated objective of demonstrating the viability of alternative energy while also providing a clear cost-savings, the district examined bio-mass, wind and solar options through a careful research process that was underwritten by nearly $2 million in competitive grants. Partners in the effort included Dickinson College, the Sustainable Energy Fund, PPL Utilities, and the PA Public Utility Commission, and Henkels & McCoy, among others.
Carlisle’s 6.2-acre project uses 5,178 solar panels and reduces CO2 emissions equal to 178 cars, while producing enough energy to power 150 homes. The project received half of its funding from grant support and will have paid for itself in just four years. The result is a new revenue stream for the school district that will continue to produce dividends for the next twenty-five years and beyond. In addition to the project’s energy and environmental impact, it also actively supports student instruction through projects and course activities for students in a variety of pre-engineering and career and technical programs, including the Sharp Solar Energy Academy. This project truly demonstrates the power of “green” thinking—providing environmental benefits, reducing long-range costs, and enhancing student experiences, all of which benefit the Carlisle community.
Click the links below for a summary of the Solar Panel Project as well as a link to the monitoring system.
FY17 - energy update PDF.pdf
Quick Facts (PDF - 130 KB)
Solar Project Summary, 2010 (PDF - 1.35 MB)
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CASD Solar Monitoring