by Austin Marsman

As the Martin public school system progresses with its historic bond construction, green upgrades are taking center stage.

The Board of Education decided July 17 to approve a solar project, pending a final approval of the lease-to-purchase agreement between the district and Verde Solutions of Chicago. This means the district will swap its current electric bill for a monthly lease payment on the solar panels.

The total electric bill was about $30,500 annually and the new monthly payment will be about $2,800 for 15 years or $33,300 annually. With the 5 percent annual increase in electric costs, the power bill will exceed lease payments in the third year.

The monumental effort is being led by Zach Henderson, a 2004 Martin High School graduate. Henderson is regional vice president of Superior Renewable Solutions and has been working closely with Superintendent David Harnish on the project.

Contractors will install the first phase of an ambitious Solar Project next month. This phase alone will generate 187,000-kilowatt hours per year.

Construction of a new auditorium and varsity gymnasium are holding off phases two and three, which will combine rooftop solar panels and ground-level solar arrays. In the end, Martin Public Schools hopes to generate 99 percent of it energy needs.

The district is close to completing the switch to LED light bulbs and estimates the upgrade will save $24,000 per year. Harnish, in a recent community newsletter, said the project will “reduce our carbon footprint by 243,000-kilowatt hours, or 5,000 tons of CO2.” He also went on to say that “it is good for our school and community.”

Martin Public Schools serves more than 600 students and their families. F or more information about the entire bond project visit martinpublicschools.org or the Facebook Page “Martin Public Schools Bond 2016.”

PHOTO: An aerial view of the Martin campus during bond construction (supplied)