Lyndon State Investing In Solar Array

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Created on Tuesday, 01 December 2015 19:39

Written by Kaitlyn Manktelow

LYNDONVILLE- In order to cut their electricity bill, Lyndon State College is looking into investing in a solar array that is said to generate about five hundred kilowatt hours. The college had bids from several companies. After considering all of the bids, Lyndon chose the company Sun Edison, based out of California instead of a locally run one. However, according to Vermont Senator Joe Benning, the company just fit the needs of the school better than the other options.

"I don't have any problem with any company whether in state or out of state being associated with a project here. As long as it is a small scale project and whoever the local person is who is trying to get this benefit is doing it for reasons I guess are local in nature." Benning said.

This net metering project is believed to meet about 45 percent of the school's power needs. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association net metering is described as, "a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

A well known advocate for small scale renewable energy and preserving natural resources in Vermont, Benning believes less of Vermont's energy can be more. "In Vermont's case there is a mindset that has been developed where we are going to develop every possible renewable energy source that we can, no matter what happens to our natural resources. I very much object to that. If Connecticut is using the same philosphy and is saying ' Hey we can reach our goal by simply buying what Vermont is producing'  that puts more pressure on the people of Vermont to lose their natural resources," states Benning.

This renewable energy project is expected to begin in the Sping of 2016