Vincentown, NJ, 30 October 2013 – The Southampton Board of Education, solar system owner Marina Energy, and solar contractor Ray Angelini, Inc. met today to celebrate the groundbreaking of a 554 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the grounds of School #2 and School #3.

Superintendent Michael Harris, Business Administrator Barbara Godfrey, and School Board President Betty Wright joined with executives from Marina Energy, Ray Angelini, Inc., RYBREAD Architects, and Board of Education members, Russell Hann, Joseph Caputo, Jeffery Hicks and Suzanne Phillips to mark the start of the solar project which, over 15 years, is projected to save Southampton taxpayers $1,056,000 with zero taxpayer dollars used for the construction or operation of the system. Marina Energy will own the system and sell the electricity to the school district at a discounted rate for 15 years.

“This is yet another historic day in Southampton,” said Board of Education President, Wright. “When the solar PV system is operational, it will generate approximately 98% of the electricity used in School #2 and School #3, all without impacting our environment.

Superintendent Harris stated “Our solar project will also provide an excellent educational experience for our students and residents alike as a result of the landscaping that will occur as part of the buffering plan for the solar ground array. The landscaping will include wild grasses, wildflowers and shrubbery. We are planning on using this area for environmental education classes.”

“Marina is proud to be a partner with Southampton Schools to help drive the cost of energy down,” said John Spurlock, Director of Development, Marina Energy.

“Bringing this project to construction has been a long journey,” commented Joe Joyce, Senior Vice President, RAI. “We’re happy to be chosen to design and build it. It is a testament to the dedication of the Southampton Board of Education to both save taxpayers money and provide an environmental educational opportunity.”

The Power Purchase Agreement RFP for the Southampton BOE was written by Angelo P. Butera, AIA, LEED Accredited Professional, and Sustainability Partner of the firm RYEBREAD (Regan Young England Butera, Referendums, Engineering, Architecture, Design), in conjunction with the District’s law firm, Capehart & Scatchard. RYEBREAD has been the Southampton Architect-of-Record since 1994, and has been responsible for numerous BOE capital projects, including School #2, reroofing, security systems, and other facility upgrades.