The solar array on Monarch School of New England's newly-constructed regional high school and vocational center generates clean energy as well as educational opportunities for the Rochester, New Hampshire facility. Monarch currently operates two campuses in Rochester. The new school replaces a leased location in Gonic. 158 panels on the roof of the Monarch School of New England produce electricity that powers the school and benefits their community.
Each year, their 47.4 kilowatt grid-tied solar electric system will generate roughly 50,374 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity, offsetting the equivalent of driving over 91,800 miles in gas powered car.
ReVision installed the solar array for the school through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) which allows the school to benefit from solar energy with no upfront installation cost. Under the terms of the PPA, the school purchases electricity from ReVision Energy at a negotiated rate. At year seven of the agreement, the school will have the option to purchase the system at a significant discount, enabling the school to generate free solar power for decades to come. If the school purchases the system, projected savings from year seven and beyond will be approximately $7,500 each year.
Founded over 45 years ago, the Monarch School is a non-profit day school for students ages 5-21 with significant physical, medical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional disabilities. The new facility allows the school to enhance its career and technical education for young adults by providing the necessary equipment and space to educate and train students for a wide variety of work options in the agriculture, hospitality, technology and service sectors. In 2018, students and staff worked to receive the Eco-Schools USA Bronze Award from the National Wildlife Federation . Their overall goal is to help students reach their greatest potential and be successful in the mainstream of everyday life - following the motto of, "Unlimited possibilities for students with special needs."
The construction of the school was funded by community support, a generous pool of corporate donors and a loan from the Bank of New Hampshire. Jewett Construction served as the general contractor on the project, which was designed by DeStefano Architects. The 11,860 square foot facility houses a large, multipurpose room, a computer lab, a woodworking/shop area, art and music room, a greenhouse, a kitchen for preparing student lunches and numerous classrooms and administrative offices. The exterior includes cementitious siding, an asphalt shingle roof and multiple cupolas.
