The Cambria Heights School District is progressing with its plan to transition to solar power for part of its district.
With a power purchase agreement already signed, school officials are working to minimize environmental and community impacts, and the township has not opposed the initiative.
Cambria Heights superintendent Ken Kerchenske said, “The hope is that during next school year though some type of construction could actually be going on.”
The proposed solar field is located about half a mile from the middle and high schools, in a wooded area owned by the district. Kerchenske noted, “The area that the developers are proposing is actually the area that’s the clearest which also just happens to be the flattest, so that would be minimal.”
Kerchenske assured that the solar array would not impact nearby trails or waterways. “None of that will be disrupted by the solar array,” he said. Although the solar field will be surrounded by trees, it may still be visible from Glendale Lake Road and a public trail used by the community according to Kercheske. “We hope to make it attractive enough so that it draws their attention,”
David Kibler, chairman of the Clearfield Township Board of Supervisors, stated that the township does not have concerns and does not oppose the plan, although officials have not yet seen engineering plans. Kibler mentioned concerns about the disposal of solar panels once they reach the end of their lifespan.
Kerchenske addressed this by stating, “There are already clauses in our power purchase agreement that ensure that the developer has to account for the decommissioning of the site.”
While no public meetings are currently scheduled, both school and township officials anticipate a future meeting in Clearfield Township to allow community members to voice questions or concerns.