The Davenport School Board wants to know what residents think about using solar panels for energy. Tonight and tomorrow night, the district will hold public forums about the proposal.
Michelle O'Neill has more.
Both forums will begin at 6 p.m. Tonight's will be held at the Achievement Service Center on Brady Street. Tomorrow's will be held at Davenport West High School in the auditorium.
Summary
Spokeswoman, Dawn Saul, from the Davenport School District, says last month, the board decided to work with EPO Energy based in Columbus Junction and Northwest Mechanical in Davenport. The joint proposal would include solar arrays at 30 schools with an estimated savings of $250,000 the first year. Then $1.9 million per year after 20 years and district ownership of the solar panels. On average, Saul says research shows 20-year-old solar panels produce about 85% of the solar power produced by new ones.
So far, the district has only received a few calls and emails from residents who have problems with the idea. They might have concerns about reducing the amount of space for children to play or participate in sports or the view from their homes if they live near a school.
Solar panels are already installed at Fillmore Elementary and Wood Intermediate schools. In addition, geothermal systems have replaced furnaces and boilers in 15 buildings. And whenever it's practical, lights are being replaced with LED fixtures.
Employees have also been conserving energy by turning off lights, computers, printers, and other devices at the end of the day. They have also stopped using coffee makers and other small appliances outside break rooms. During the 2014-2015 school year, those efforts alone helped the Davenport School District save 191,000 dollars compared to the previous year.
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