Nashoba Valley Tech Goes Green And Gets Green

When it comes to "going green," is certainly happy that they can use multiple definitions of the term for one of their latest initiatives

The school is now moving into Phase 2 of its solar-panel project, adding an additional 506 panels onto its roof following the 429 panel Phase 1 segment.

However, while Phase 1 is saving the school 12 percent on its electricity costs according to Nashoba Tech facilities manager George Kalarites, those panels are owned and maintained by the North Andover-based Nexamp company.

Nashoba's Phase 2 panels will be completely owned by the school, and officials are estimating that the direct link from the panels into National Grid's system can provide the school up to $22,000 per year in savings.

The initiative was paid for by the Massachusetts School Building Authority without any assistance from the towns of the school's district, a process that Superintendent Judith Klimkiewicz notes has been part of a broader $25.5 million renovation from the 2005-2006 school year as well as a key portion of the school's efforts to become a more environmentally and fiscally friendly school.

"Our goal is to be a model green school," said Klimkiewicz. "(and) I'm thrilled we were able to acquire the funds for this project without drawing money from our towns."