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California schools to cut 80% electricity costs with solar systems

Six schools in California are to switch to solar power, with expectations of cutting their electricity costs by an average of 80%.

A total of 3 megawatts of generating capacity is to be developed at schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Under the program, solar systems will be installed at the California High School, Dougherty Valley High School, Monte Vista High School, San Ramon Valley High School, Diablo Vista Middle School and Gale Ranch Middle School.

The District, which comprises 34 schools in total serving more than 28,000 students, approved a contract with San Jose firm SunPower Corp last week.

It is anticipating savings of more than $2 million in the first year for the installations.

Stewardship

District Superintendent Steve Enoch said the contract had been studied carefully before the decision was taken to opt for the solar power systems.

Mr Enoch said: “We truly believe that we can maximize savings through these systems, while at the same time modeling thoughtful stewardship of our environment for our students and the community by producing clean, renewable solar power at our schools.”

SunPower will install solar carport tracking systems for the schools – solar arrays that provide shade for parked cars while also delivering clean energy.

The company said it would be using its E-series solar panels mounted on the tracking systems, which will follow the sun through the day to collect more energy than fixed-tilt systems.

The equipment will be produced at SunPower’s new panel manufacturing facility in Milpitas, less than an hour’s drive from the schools.

SunPower said construction would be complete by the end of the year.

Recovery Act

The systems will be financed through the use of low-interest Qualified School Construction Bonds, available through the federal Recovery Act.

Bill Kelly, managing director at SunPower, said: “The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is wisely leveraging funding provided by the federal government to deliver clean energy to their schools, while dramatically lowering long-term operational costs.

“We are very pleased to work with the district, and congratulate them on their significant commitment to renewable, emission-free solar power.”

The solar company, which has previously provided solar systems for the Los Angeles Unified School District, University of California, Merced, and Mendocino College, said it would also be partnering with the San Ramon Valley Unified School District to offer lesson plans on energy, allowing students to make use of the solar installations as educational tools.