May 09, 2024

Greenskies Installs 1.67 MW Solar Portfolio for Piscataway Township Schools, Advancing District Renewable Energy Goals

In a significant stride towards its renewable energy goals, Piscataway Township Schools partnered with Greenskies Clean Focus, a national leader in renewable energy solutions, to install a 1.67 MW (megawatt) rooftop solar portfolio. Greenskies installed over 3,700 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at seven schools and the District Administration Building.

  • Eisenhower Elementary School (243.00 kW)
  • Grandview Elementary School (266.40 kW)
  • Knollwood Elementary School (189.90 kW)
  • Arbor Intermediate School (54.00 kW)
  • M. L. King Intermediate School (271.35 kW)
  • T. Schor Middle School (270.00 kW)
  • Piscataway High School (221.40 kW)
  • Administration Building (151.20 kW)

Greenskies funded the projects at no upfront cost to Piscataway Township Schools through a 15-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA).  This agreement enables the District to purchase the electricity generated at a low, fixed-rate and outsource operation and maintenance costs to Greenskies for the term.

“Greenskies is proud to partner with Piscataway Township Schools in their commitment to renewable energy and sustainability, said Stanley Chin, President and CEO of Greenskies.  “The installation of this solar portfolio marks a significant step towards their goals, and we’re thrilled to play a part in reducing their carbon footprint.  This initiative exemplifies the positive impact that organizations can have on the environment and their communities through clean energy solutions.”

Over the next 15 years, these solar projects will offset around 20,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 4,875 gas-powered cars or the carbon sequestered by 23,000 acres of U.S. forests.  (Source: US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator)

“It’s been 15 years since we started putting solar panels on our schools; we really were out in front with that initiative,” said David Oliveira, Business Administrator and Board Secretary for Piscataway Township Schools.  “We’ve done a number of solar panel additions over the years, and Greenskies has become a key partner in that effort. I’d also like to thank our Board of Education for their commitment to using less energy and decreasing our carbon footprint.”

Solar energy has been a key element of Piscataway Township Schools’ successful and well-received Energy Savings Improvement Plan (ESIP). In addition to solar panels, Piscataway Schools have installed more efficient heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, motion-detector light switches, and better-insulated windows and doors as part of the ESIP.  The District projects that the improvements will generate $18 million in savings over 18 years, which it will use to pay for the upgrades.

Because of these efforts, the federal Energy Star program has recognized Piscataway Township Schools for two consecutive years.  In 2022, four Piscataway Schools were designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Energy Star Certified Buildings.  Then, in 2023, all ten district-owned school buildings were certified by the Energy Star program – more than any other school district in New Jersey.

Like home appliances, buildings are also certified for energy efficiency with an Energy Star label.  On average, Energy Star-certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort.

Energy Star is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States based on actual, verified energy performance.  To qualify, the District submitted extensive data in its Energy Star applications, including occupancy, square footage, room temperatures, carbon dioxide levels, hours of operation, types of energy used, illumination levels, and more.

“This is an incredible achievement for our District,” said Superintendent Dr. Frank Ranelli.  “It is also a tribute to the years of hard work that our Board of Education and administration have put into making our buildings more energy efficient, as well as the continuous contributions of all our staff members in making energy savings a priority.  We’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment and public health while saving on utility costs.”

Greenskies Clean Focus | www.greenskies.com

Piscataway Township Schools | www.piscatawayschools.org