Solar array complete at Seeliger; others to follow

During a ceremony to announce the completion of a 60,000-square-foot array of solar panels at Seeliger Elementary School, Superintendent Richard Stokes advised students to take note of its significance.

"Guess what, kiddos," he said. "You're seeing history at its finest. You should remember that your school got one of the very first solar arrays in the state of Nevada. This is a neat day. I'm really proud to be here and be a part of it."

Despite chilly temperatures and gusting winds Wednesday, Mark Korinek, operations manager for the Carson City School District, said the sunshine was all that was needed.

"The system is just cranking," he said. "It's a perfect day for it."

The 300 kilowatt system is just part of a series of arrays planned across the district that is projected to save the school district $500,000 annually, he said.

It was a process that began in May 2010.

"Today, we're celebrating the first of five programs to be completed over the summer," he said.

The entire project will cost $11 million, but with a $9.75 million rebate from NV Energy, the district will pay $1.25 million.

Mary Simmons, vice president of NV Energy, said at Seeliger alone the 1,512 solar panels are expected to generate 60 percent of the electricity needed to power the school.

It will save about 450 tons of carbon emissions and $75,000 each year, Simmons said.

"All the way around, it's a wonderful project," she said.

Over the next year, teacher Patrick Flynn will be working with students and community partners to create 16,000-square-foot schoolyard habitat.

He said it will be a place for kids to "explore, discover, learn, play and think."

The plans call for four ecosystems to include the Great Basin, Sierra Nevada, a wetland, and a reading garden with pollination flowers.

In addition to Seeliger, arrays will be built at Eagle Valley Middle, Carson High, Fritsch Elementary and Carson Middle schools.

The project at Eagle Valley Middle School is expected to be complete by June 15 and Carson High School on June 24. Carson Middle School's arrays are expected to be installed by July 8 and Fritsch on July 1.