West Haven Public School Solar PV 

Overview 

As part of the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Solar for Schools Program, Black Gold School Division installed a 251 kW solar PV system at West Haven Public School. The solar PV system will generate 263,819 kWh of electricity per year, saving the school around $26,381.90 in energy costs per year. The total project cost was $471,355.00 with 50% of costs covered by the Solar for Schools Program. The Board of Trustees also approved $280,000.00 in capital reserves to cover the remaining costs. 

Approach 

The project was initiated in the Spring of 2022 and was completed in the winter of 2022. 

Results 

The project is expected to reduce emissions from the school by 150.38 tonnes of CO2e per year, which is equivalent to removing 41 passenger vehicles from the road. With the project now complete, education around renewable energy will be integrated into the school curriculum where students will describe the functioning of solar energy technology and learn about the different types of Solar PV installation; students will describe the conversion of solar energy into electrical and thermal energy. 

We are grateful for the funding received through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre Solar for Schools program. With the ongoing increases in utility rates, we believe that this project is a prudent investment that will help the Division to significantly cut electricity costs and reduce emissions.

Esther Eckert, Board Chair 

We are proud to support the Black Gold School Division and their installation of a new solar photovoltaic system on the West Haven Public School. Not only will this system generate electricity, reduce operating costs, and greenhouse gas emissions, it will provide an excellent learning opportunity for its students.

Trina Innes, Executive Director, Municipal Climate Change Action Centre