District Receives $600K LIPA Rebate for Solar Panel Installation

Going green has paid off for The Commack School District, which received a rebate from LIPA for more than $600,000 at the district's March Board of Ed meeting.

The rebate, which amounted to a total of $601,408, came from LIPA's solar installation energy rebate program. The district during the summer of 2010, which were funded by an from New York State.

The panels are connected to a computer program system that allows the energy production of the panels to be monitored in real time, which has been incorporated into the curriculum this year.

"This was a win-win situation for the District, which reaped environmental, educational, and financial benefits," said District Superintendent Dr. Donald James in a statement. "Reducing our carbon footprint while setting the stage for mathematical and scientific study by our students encourages global thinking and conservation efforts."

The panels take about 9 percent of the power from each of the four buildings, with an estimated annual average electrical savings of $40,000 per year.

According to the statement, the money garnered from the LIPA rebate will be added to the fund balance and used to lower the tax levy for the 2011-2012 school budget, which will be at Commack High School.