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Private Elementary School Goes Solar

A private, all-girl elementary school in New Jersey is getting its own solar installation with the help of a state program that finances clean energy projects.

According to information released this month by Arosa Solar, the company that will install the solar system, Bais Rivka Rochel received a 0 percent loan under the Clean Energy Solutions Capital Investment loan program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in order to help defray the cost of the project. Arosa helped the school obtain the loan. The program has since stopped accepting applications, according to information on NJEDA's site.

Arosa said the 330 kilowatt installation will save the religious school thousands of dollars per year in energy costs and help reduce the school's carbon footprint.

"We are proud to be one of the few that persevered to see this loan thru to its end. With this investment we can help this New Jersey school go solar and save over $55,000 a year and conserve almost 5,000 barrels of oil," said Shimmy Tessler, owner of Arosa Solar, in a prepared statement.

Arosa said that most such systems pay for themselves within four years and then start generating income for the school. This is the second such school installation the company has performed recently. The previous one was back in November at Bnos Bais Yaakov, an all-girl high school in New Jersey.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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