Sussex Christian School goes green with solar panels

SUSSEX — Sussex Christian School will soon have a new solar roof. The 92-kilowat roof-mounted solar array, designed and installed by KG Solar and Renewable Energy of Sparta, will support the school’s needs for electricity for the next 30 years or more. “As our commitment to technology has increased and with the expansion of our school facilities, electric utility costs have demanded a larger and larger portion of our yearly budget,” John Amels, school board member, said. “We felt that generating our own electricity would control that cost and also provide an excellent learning tool for our students.” The school reached an arrangement with KG Solar-— a power purchase agreement — where the school would purchase the electricity produced by the array from KG Solar for seven to 10 years at a reduced rate. After that, the school would retain all the benefits of the system, according to KG Solar owner Kurt Gewecke. “The private/corporate agreement is mutually beneficial. I have a love for Christian education and also feel strongly about energy independence. Sussex Christian School did not have the ability to fully fund the up front cost of the system,” said Gewecke. “We are both benefitting from this agreement. What a testimony for the students, parents, and the community to see the SCS association committed to the future of this school.” Dave Vander Groef, solar project coordinator, has adopted a tag line — “Powered by the Son” — describing the school’s solar panels. KG Solar hopes to have the project completed and generating electricity for the school within the next few months. Sussex Christian School, located in Sussex Borough, serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Sussex County, southern Orange County, N.Y., and eastern Pike County, Pa.