The Butler Area School Board is considering a deal that would put solar panels on district property in exchange for a new roof on the Intermediate School and cost certainty on most of their electricity.
Representatives from a collection of companies including Tremco, PA Roofing, PA Solar, and BAI Group presented a plan to the board during their Monday night meeting that they maintain would save the district nearly $6 million over 30 years.
The roof at the Intermediate is nearing the end of its life at almost 20 years but it is still in good enough shape to have a new roof poured over the existing product with solar panels placed on top of that.
A study of the district’s recent electric usage and costs led the speakers to estimate that the district could get over 60% of their electricity through the solar panels at a rate slightly above what they pay now.
The Community College of Allegheny County is a local facility that has recently engaged this group for a new roof. The Butler School Board plans to continue discussion of this plan at their next meeting.
