SIS goes green, uses solar power
Saipan International School became the first private learning institution in the CNMI that will be using a renewable source of energy after it teamed up with Micronesian Renewable Energy Inc. for a solar energy system.
The installation of three solar arrays for the 104,782 kW solar energy system was recently finished. Two are located at the central administrative building, while the other one is at the Tan Siu Lin building.
The solar energy system could save the school power costs of over $250,000 in a 20-year span, while harnessing the abundant power of the sun.
Latte Stone LLC, a solar provider in the Marianas (CNMI and Guam), designed and installed the solar arrays. The safety and welfare of the students, teachers, and visitors were also their top priority when they were installing the solar arrays.
Latte Stone personnel first surveyed the roof of both buildings carefully plan the design and how to install the solar arrays, in order to not disrupt daily school activities.
SIS headmaster Ron Snyder said they were impressed by how Latte Stone handled the installation of the solar arrays and their desire to keep everyone safe, to the extent of working extra hours, holidays, and weekends.
“The staff of SIS was very impressed with the conscientiousness and care the Latte Stone team provided while installing the solar arrays. The energy savings will allow us to use our tuition revenue to better serve the needs of all our students and we are extremely happy to be promoting clean energy in the CNMI,” said Snyder.
The energy system would offset 70 percent of SIS’ electric bills, while the excess power would be credited to the school.
An estimated 75 tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be prevented with the solar energy system, which is equivalent to driving more than 160,000 miles or the CO2 that’s removed by 65 acres of trees in a year.
Source: saipantribune
