Marlborough May Add Solar Panels To 4 School Rooftops

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough officials are considering a proposal from a Hopkinton company to install solar panel arrays on the roofs of four local schools. The city would then buy energy generated by the panels to offset its carbon footprint.

Under the proposal, Energy Solect would install panels at Charles Jaworek Elementary, Francis J. Kane Elementary, Marlborough High School, and at the under-construction new elementary school along Poirier Road.

Marlborough would not have to pay any installation or maintenance costs, according to the proposal. But the city would agree to buy electricity produced by the panels for 20 years. The solar energy would provide about 1.1 million kilowatt hours per year, offsetting electricity that Marlborough buys from National Grid.

City officials estimate the solar panels would save the city about $22,500 in the first year, and as much as $714,000 over 20 years. The schools will not get electricity from the panels.

The Marlborough City Council and Marlborough School Committee still have to vote to authorize Mayor Arthur Vigeant to approve the deal.