Today, Bishop Stang High School activated its brand new 274 kW rooftop solar system. The solar array will power nearly 60% of the school’s electricity needs which is expected to save the school $1.76 million over the next 25 years. Each year, the solar array of 571 panels will produce enough electricity to power 14 million smartphones and eliminate the carbon dioxide emissions equivalent of driving a gas-powered car 542,000 miles.
James Benson, President of Bishop Stang stated, “I want to thank Bishop da Cunha and the Chancery office, as well as the impressive teams at Resonant Energy, for their support in getting us to the finish line of this project. The cost savings from this initiative are helping us address other needs in our facility such as roof replacement and an upgrade to our heating system. This is the first step in a longer-term plan to increase energy efficiency over the next decade.”
The Bishop Stang solar project is one of more than a dozen solar projects that the Fall River Diocese has completed or is currently under development. When complete, these projects are expected to produce approximately 10 million kWh of electricity annually, effectively preventing more than 15 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The Diocese is working with Boston-based solar provider, Resonant Energy, which recently developed projects for the Diocese at the St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet and St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in New Bedford.
“The Fall River Diocese is setting an example for nonprofit and community-serving institutions across MA,” said Madeleine Barr, VP of Outreach & Sales at Resonant Energy, “By installing solar on all kinds of properties including schools, parishes and care facilities, the Diocese is investing in a cleaner, more financially sustainable future for their community.”