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New York Provides $7.8 Million for Efficient, Solar Schools

Fifty schools in New York State will sport new solar electric systems by next spring, thanks to a new $1.8 million state-sponsored program called "School Power Naturally."

Fifty schools in New York State will sport new solar electric systems by next spring, thanks to a new $1.8 million state-sponsored program called "School Power Naturally."

Governor George E. Pataki announced the new program in late August as part of a package that includes $6 million for improving energy efficiency in New York schools. The programs will help schools identify opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades as well as install solar electric photovoltaic panels to generate on-site power.

"Schools are a perfect environment for implementing energy efficiency and installing renewable energy systems because we can use these initiatives to encourage our children to make smart and sustainable energy choices," Governor Pataki said. "But, equally important, energy efficiency and the solar energy systems will help to lower the energy costs for our schools and reduce the environmental impacts of school energy use."

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will administer the School Power Naturally program, which will provide 90% of the cost of installing a $20,000, 2-kilowatt solar power system on each of the schools. AMERESCO, an energy services firm, will provide an additional $500, reducing the cost for each school to just $1,500. Solar Works, Inc. will design, install and maintain the systems for the schools. Eligible New York schools have until October 11th to apply for the program.

Solar Works' Vice President, Richard Eidlin said, "The School Power Naturally program is taking a significant step towards informing thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers about the practicality of solar energy."

NYSERDA is also administering the $6 million "Comprehensive Energy Strategies in School" program, which will provide cost-shared technical assistance, analysis, advice, and certified training to schools so that they can identify ways to save energy. The programs will help schools identify opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades as well as install solar electric photovoltaic panels to generate on-site power.

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