VAN WERT - Solar energy is finally becoming a reality for Vantage Career Center as the Board of Education approved the long-awaited contracts with Solar Planet. The agreement will remain in place for 25 years.

“The discussion took much longer than thought but was time well spent,” said Superintendent Staci Kaufman.

Surveying will be completed this week with the array set to be placed on the north acreage. The 1-megawatt unit will consist of about 4,200 solar panels. Typically, the operation will provide at 750 kilowatts. Vantage will own the land but Solar Planet will own the array. Vantage will be purchasing energy for slightly cheaper than the regular rate. After 10 years, Vantage has the option to purchase the array and will be offered this agreement again every five years following; Kaufman does not think that is a feasible idea for the district at this time.

“Prices are fixed and predictable,” said Kaufman. “While the world of energy changes around us, we are providing a predictable and clean product to Vantage.”