Contoocook Valley (N.H.) district begins installation of solar panels at high school in Petersborough

The Contoocook Valley (N.H.) district has begun the installation of a 247-kilowatt solar array at ConVal Regional High School in Petersborough.

The 555 panels will be installed on the high school's roof. Officials say they are expected to lower the school's energy costs by 7.2 cents per kilowatt-hour in the first year, reports The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. 

In addition to the array, an electric-vehicle charger will be mounted on the side of the high school.

The ConVal solar project will help the town of Peterborough fulfill its pledge to be using 100% renewable energy by 2050. Statewide, less than 1% of New Hampshire’s total energy is generated through solar.

The school will have access to information on the real-time production of the solar panels.