The program supplies monetary assist for photo voltaic installations in Maple Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Cuyahoga Heights, and a college district to be introduced.
MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — US Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio’s eleventh Congressional District is urging the supply of almost $600,000 to Cuyahoga County faculties.
“It’s simply an thrilling day for me to have the ability to ship a verify for over half one million {dollars} so we will make the most of packages which are lengthy overdue,” Brown mentioned Tuesday.
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The cash comes from grants related to the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to assist the county’s Solar for Schools program.
“We’re bringing photo voltaic panels to Maple Heights High School and Cuyahoga County faculties,” Brown, a Democrat, introduced at a gathering of county leaders, college students, and media within the Maple Heights High School gymnasium this morning. .
The program supplies monetary assist for photo voltaic installations in 5 college districts, together with Maple Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Cuyahoga Heights, and a soon-to-be-announced fifth district. A February press launch from the US Department of Energy lists the district because the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
“As we see electrical energy costs on the grid improve, these techniques will proceed to supply further financial savings,” mentioned Cuyahoga County Interim Director of Sustainability Valerie Katz.
According to Katz, districts can save $30,000 to $40,000 yearly with new photo voltaic techniques. He mentioned set up prices are roughly $400,000 to $450,000, however the techniques ought to pay for themselves between 4 and 6 years.
“After that point, electrical energy will likely be free,” added Katz.
The Principal of Maple Heights High School Dr. Markiel Perkins says value discount is vital for the district.
“We should be fiscally accountable as a college district in our group, as properly,” he mentioned. “Those financial savings can go to different college assets — they will go to books, they will add one other employees.”
Partnerships between Cuyahoga Green Energy and the county’s Growth Opportunity Partners will present an extra grant of $95,000 to every district for photo voltaic set up, in addition to a $50,000 forgivable mortgage.
“These tasks should not simply be reserved for the wealthiest communities,” Brown mentioned. “These are tasks that we must always all be capable of get pleasure from and profit from.”
According to Brown’s workplace, the Solar for Schools program “goals to cut back electrical energy prices and regional greenhouse fuel emissions whereas rising equitable entry to wash, native, renewable vitality and offering instructional alternatives.” for Okay-12 college students.” Katz says they selected racially and economically various districts, in addition to districts positioned in areas with higher-than-average air pollution.
According to officers, these are the primary public college buildings in Cuyahoga County to be geared up with photo voltaic panels. Installation is predicted to start this fall.
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