Boston Public Schools Solar Installations – Murphy School, Boston Latin Academy, FDR School, Madison Park School and Boston Latin School – On Schedule

December 18, 2009

In a major renewable energy project for the City of Boston, Lighthouse Electrical is on schedule with the 134.5kW (in total) turnkey solar installation project for five Boston Public Schools – Murphy School (53.5kW), Boston Latin Academy (35.7kW), FDR School (32kW), Madison Park School (7.8kW) and Boston Latin School (5.5kW). The total electrical project value is $900,000.

The project scope entails Lighthouse’s design, engineering and installation of ballasted, roof-mounted photovoltaic solar systems at each school. Ballasted systems have been specified to avoid roof penetration. Solar panels manufactured by Evergreen Solar of Marlborough, MA and inverters by Solectria Renewables of Lawrence, MA are being utilized.

The installations are projected to realize a total energy savings of approximately 175,000 kwh per year for Boston Public Schools, amounting to an estimated $35,000 annually. The systems will be used as a teaching tool for students, enabling them to learn about solar energy and also track power output of the systems. The project is funded, in part, by grants through Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Commonwealth Solar rebate program.

Structural engineering services are being provided by Stephen Kelleher Architects, Inc. of Fairhaven, MA and electrical engineering by Art Engineering Corporation of Worcester, MA, both under subcontract to Lighthouse Electrical.

Lighthouse is supervising a field crew of 5 electricians from IBEW Local 103. The project commenced in August 2009 and will be complete by the end of April. All work has been conducted when school is not in session.