ROCKPORT — Installation crews are ready to mount 588 solar panels to the south facing roof of Camden Hills Regional High School. Project proponents are anticipating that the photovoltaic system will contribute to overall energy savings for the school district. 

ReVision Energy, of Liberty, is contracted by the Five Town CSD, which educates high school students from Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport, to install the 145 kilowatt solar array.

The contract includes a power purchase agreement by which the CSD is making no upfront expenditure for the hardware, except for a $279 interconnection application to Central Maine Power, but will pay ReVision the comparable conventional electric charges for six years.

According to the contract, ReVision Energy will own the system for six years, during which time Camden Hills pays ReVision for the value of the power generated by the solar array, at the same cost they would pay CMP. During those six years, ReVision takes the federal tax credit and depreciation on the system. ReVision will lease the high school roof for approximately $1 a year.

After six years, the school can either continue its agreement with ReVision or can buy the system at a deep discount, essentially what’s left post-tax credit and deprecation, using financing, a municipal bond, donations or its annual budget process.

According CSD Facilities Director Keith Rose, the Route 90 high school has been undergoing constant energy efficiency modifications, including the installation of LED lighting, a wind turbine, and now solar.

Since the school opened in 2000, there have been efforts to make the campus more sustainable and less a power hog.

"Since the school was built, between efficiency measures, LED lighting, the wind turbine, and now solar, we're on track to cut electric usage by 85 percent," said Rose, in a news release. "That's a projected future savings of $215,000 in energy costs annually."

"This school's energy usage is a shining example of what can be done through conservation and local energy production," said ReVision Energy founder Bill Behrens, in the same release. "Our community should be glad to know that our students are learning in a place where renewable energy is a part of their everyday environment."

Founded in 2003, ReVision Energy has installed more than 4,000 solar energy systems across northern New England. 

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657