School Sets Date for 'Informal' Solar Panel Discussion

The Hopatcong school district hopes to begin a solar project, which could save millions over 15 years, in late June. But first it wants to discuss the plan with residents.

Board of Education member Dolores Krowl said at Monday night's meeting the district would host an "informal" meeting to answer questions on June 2 at 7 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

President Cliff Lundin said residents living within 200 feet of the solar panel construction site must get a letter inviting them to a June 8 zoning board meeting, during which they could learn more about the project while the district makes its bid for a land-use variance. But Lundin said the district would answer questions during the June 2 meeting.

"You'll have questions like, 'How close is it to my property? Does it hum? Does it reflect? Is it going to blind me if I look at it?'" he said. "All the wacko things you hear out there—those questions can be answered. And it's probably a much more easy way to learn about the solar project than to go to the zoning board."

Last week, the borough planning board Planning board Attorney Bob Haggerty said he believed the project could be seen "as a separate entity" from the schools, "a commercial enterprise."

The project, which district Director of Grounds Neil Piro said could save the district $3 million over the 15-year contract, is a partnership between the district, solar power company Sun Edison and SP-One, a solar developer.

Piro said the project will provide the district with reinforced roofs at Durban Avenue School and the Hopatcong Middle School; and energy at .05 cents per kilowatt-hour—almost three times less than its current Jersey Centeral Power & Lights rate of .149. Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano has said the district won't pay for anything but energy under the agreement.

Solar panels will go atop Durban Avenue and middle school roofs and on a field, surrounded by 6-foot wire fences, at the Wayne L. Threkeld Sports Complex behind the Hopatcong Senior Citizens Center, Piro said.

Editor's note: The meeting was originally scheduled for June 7 at 7:30 p.m.