What's Happening in Oklahoma City, OK…

Oklahoma City’s Millwood High School is seeking a solution to one of its toughest financial challenges by turning to science with the instillation of a new solar array.

Millwood anticipates getting 44% of its electricity from the 531 high-efficiency panels that make up its 276-kilowatt system. District leaders are promoting the project by pitching its dual role of cutting long-term utility bills and serving as an on-campus learning lab.

Key to the project was the Energy Management Service Agreement employing an impact investor, in this case Brightwell, to utilize federal tax incentives to eliminate the payment of upfront capital costs. In this way, schools and other nonprofits are able to ensure predictable utility rates that are lower and will be sustained via multi-decade terms.

Chambers of commerce utilize brochure printing services to promote communities, with attention often being focused on the quality of the local schools

Millwood officials will record the array’s performance and convey that information back to the school board once the system is fully operational and any bugs are worked out. Plans are to steer utility savings right into programs and classrooms.

KFOR.com reported that Norman Public Schools preceded Millwood to initiate this type of project with the help of Brightwell. Norman North High School used 488 panels to create its 263.52 kW array with an expectation of saving approximately $1m over time.