Talking Points

ConVal Solar Project Talking Points

Top Project Benefits:

1. Reduce the District’s electricity bills from day one. Savings of approximately $10,000 per year over current electricity contract rates.

2. Option for the District to purchase the project outright after year six (or later) to realize even more savings. Taking ownership of the project at a discounted rate is optional.

3. No cost to the District, and low or no maintenance costs. Rooftop solar projects have long equipment warranties and need almost no maintenance. In any case, no project-related costs would be the responsibility of the District unless and until it chooses to take ownership after year six.

4. Risk-free for the district. Project investors assume all project risks unless and until the District chooses to take ownership.

5. Excellent educational value. We are in a climate crisis. Our students need to understand the issues. There is a wide range of state and federal data and curricula that could be integrated into local programming at the high school.

6. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the two fastest-growing occupations in the US are Solar and Wind technicians.

7. The involvement of Impact Investors makes all the difference. Impact investors (concerned about climate warming) require a lower rate of return on certain projects, but they have to meet very specific tax criteria to qualify with the IRS. Local investors interested in helping us fund a suitable solar project suggested ReVision’s established impact investor program, already used by several schools around New Hampshire.