Standing in front of the new solar array at Midway Elementary, SEC GM Joseph Herrera presents the $51,627 rebate check to: (far left) Denise Cannon, Socorro Asst. Superintendent, and (far right) Ron Hendrix, Socorro Superintendent.

Socorro Consolidated School District has received an energy rebate of $51,627 for its LED lighting project. The rebate check amount is based on the upgrades to LED lighting in the buildings and parking lots of Socorro High, Midway Elementary and Parkview Elementary schools, and the district’s Administration Building. The retrofitting of 3,250 lights at these four locations will not only lower the monthly electric bills for the school district but it will also reduce the power supply demands for SEC, helping to keep overall rates low.

The LED upgrade project was part of the district’s energy performance contract which also identified other ways to save energy and money. The savings funded other projects such as the installation of dimming, occupancy, and daylight harvesting controls in classrooms. The district was also able to add high efficiency HVAC equipment to replace room-sized evaporative coolers and install new roofing with improved insulation. According to Jimmy Capps, SEC’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, the energy performance contractor for the Socorro Consolidated schools estimates the schools will save more than $845,000 over the next 22 years from the recently completed LED lighting project. These savings come in part from the $51,627 commercial lighting rebate from SEC and the estimated $794,178 in savings on their electric bills.

“This rebate is provided by SEC through our wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association,” Capps said. “Tri-State supports SEC through energy efficiency programs designed to promote energy efficiency products, including LED lighting.”

He said that last year Tri-State and its members rebated $3.04 million and reduced life cycle energy usage by almost 42.5 million kilowatt-hours.

To claim a rebate, SEC Member-Owners need to submit a receipt or paid invoice to our main office within 120 days of the product’s purchase date. These rebates are exclusive to SEC Members only.

“SEC and Tri-State have been promoting the efficient use of electricity since 1985 by paying co-op members cash when they purchase or install certain energy-efficient appliances, lighting, heat pumps and more,” Capps said.

Rebate amounts vary for SEC’s energy efficiency programs.

“They can be substantial, and the energy savings can really add up, just like they did for the Socorro Schools,” Capps said.

El Defensor Chieftain