BOURNE – The Upper Cape Regional Technical School in Bourne is working on two new projects: a solar canopy and a new information technology building
The 102-foot by 437-foot proposed canopy would cover most of the school’s parking lot and would produce about 680 kilowatts of electricity a year, according to Superintendent Robert Dutch.
Dutch said the school would buy half of the kilowatts, giving the rest to the panel installer to bring to market.
This, he said, allows the school to receive free installation and maintenance of the structure.
“We agree to pay a set rate per kilowatt over a 20-year period,” Dutch said.
It could save the school over $28,000 dollars in savings each year, he said.
The project has already received the green light from the Bourne Planning Board. The next step is to garner approval from the regulatory commission for the solar crediting.
Once that is approved, they may be able to begin work in the next few months.
Upper Cape Tech isn’t the only Cape Cod school who have recently embraced solar panels: Cape Cod Community College also utilize the technology.
Meanwhile, a 3,800-square-foot building is in the works to accommodate what Dutch said is a growing information technology program.
Students will use the building to learn wire networking, the building and rebuilding of computers and computer programming.
This project isn’t expected to gain ground as soon as the solar canopy, however.
Dutch said it is part of the school’s long range plan, which also includes adding a new visual design and art/technology programs.
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