New York school districts are increasingly converting unused property into solar farms, finding a way to reduce energy costs while putting more money toward student programs.
Schoharie Central School District recently transformed a former hayfield behind its campus into a one-acre solar installation, funded through a $2.4 million voter-approved capital project, with most of the money coming from state aid.
“The solar field will pay for our power, which right now our energy is about $19,000 a month,” said Dave Blanchard, superintendent of Schoharie Central School District. “Now that’s getting paid for entirely by the solar field.”…