| April 18, 2024 |
 The complete school system of a coal-producing county in West Virginia is making a switch to solar power, marking the most extensive demonstration of solar-generated electricity in Appalachian public schools, according to a developer and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s office.
The agreement between Wayne County Schools and West Virginian solar installer and developer Solar Holler is a significant step fueled by investments in coal communities facilitated by the Inflation Reduction Act, a legislation that Senator Manchin played a crucial role in shaping as the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Despite Manchin's recent announcement that he won't seek reelection, he emphasized the impact of President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate, health, and tax law, emphasizing the creation of clean energy jobs.
The solar project is part of ongoing green energy initiatives in the state, with the Biden administration-era spending package supporting the delivery of West Virginia’s first electric school buses next month.
Wayne County’s solar project, the largest power purchase agreement in West Virginia, is expected to save the school system $6.5 million over the 25-year agreement. The initiative, enabled by a 2021 state law, legalizes power purchase agreements, allowing entities like Wayne County Schools to buy energy generated by Solar Holler-owned systems without upfront capital investment.
Wayne County Schools Superintendent Todd Alexander highlighted the project's financial impact, estimating it could fund three additional teachers' salaries for their entire careers. The transition to solar power is seen as a commitment to both economic and community development.
American Electric Power currently powers the schools, with 41% of its energy sourced from coal in 2022. The solar project, expected to be completed by 2025, involves up to 10,000 solar panels delivering 5.33 Megawatts of power to Wayne County Schools annually.
Solarization of the first schools is projected for early 2024, with others going online in the subsequent 12 to 18 months on a rolling basis.
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