The final additions to the solar-panel system — a coat of paint for the 145-panels’ structural support and the installation of the inverter — are nearing completion.
Within the next week, the school hopes to “flip” the switch on the $700,000 solar panel system and greatly reduce their dependence upon CUC.
“We’re really excited and ready to go,” remarked principal Jesse M. Tudela.
Once the solar system is operational, the daily total of generated electricity will be in the range of 180 kilowatts.
In dollar terms that should translate to annual school power bill savings of around $50,000.
Arrival at the point of system completion has been a relatively short process; only six-weeks from receipt of all the components.
“It’s been a smooth installation and we’re ready to turn over the system to the school,” commented the contractor, Philip Liu, vice president of Pacific Green Integrated Technology.
In addition to the obvious budget savings, the school has embraced their new eco-campus concept in other ways as well.
Student interest in sustainable concepts prompted a new elective class titled “Green Energy” and the campus planted a Manta Farm to reinforce sustainable farming.
Perched slightly above the farm is the first of the school’s six planned wind-driven turbines to be completed once the Division of Fish and Wildlife approves the permit.
In spite of the temporary setback with the wind-farm permit, Tudela noted the project’s quick implementation and the initiative’s kick-start from former SSHS principal Craig Garrison.
“This project is great in so many ways …it provides motivation for other school activities like the farm and encourages us every day to look for better ways of doing things.”
For the time being it may not be possible to completely disconnect SSHS from the island’s electricity grid but that does not mean it is not the long-term goal.
According to Liu, the school will still need its electricity connection but the contractor’s optimism is obvious.
“Who knows what might develop in the next few years … the technology is becoming cheaper and solar and wind power is one way to help the islands to be economically sustainable.”
For Saipan Southern’s 2011 graduating class that optimistic outcome would be good news indeed.
