Leadership from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Red Hook Central School District joined together today at the Mill Road Elementary School to announce the completed installation of three rooftop solar systems at the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. The nearly $1.7 million solar arrays have a combined direct current capacity of 600 kilowatts and support New York State’s goal to procure 70 percent of New York’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and to transition to a carbon-free power grid by 2040. “NYPA’s partnership with Red Hook schools’ reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and teaching the next generation about climate action, said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “Working with the Red Hook district has been extremely rewarding for NYPA, and the new solar energy systems will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs for the district.” In total, 1,200 panels were constructed on the rooftops at the Mill Road Elementary School, Linden Avenue Middle School and Red Hook High School. NYPA financed the projects and awarded Red Hook Central School district with a $40,000 grant to support their construction. The systems—constructed by Solar Liberty, a New York-based firm—are the first NYPA-supported solar projects in Dutchess County. “One of our goals as a district is to increase our energy efficiency and decrease our carbon footprint,” said Red Hook Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden. “In utilizing solar power gathered through solar arrays on each of our school buildings, we’re showing students everybody can be involved in supporting the environment and will perhaps encourage them to take small steps to do so at home. All the while, the project will also reduce energy costs, which aids all district residents.” The new systems—developed in part by the Power Authority’s energy advisory services—will generate more than 630 megawatt hours of energy annually and supply more than 30 percent of the estimated electricity used by the district. The projects are expected to generate the district nearly $80,000 in utility credits annually. In total, the systems will reduce the school district’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 80 metric tons—the equivalent of consuming nearly 9,000 gallons of gasoline.