Solar project to cut San Diego schools’ energy bill by $10m

June 17, 2010

Energy company Chevron has broken ground on a 2 megawatt solar project for a school district in San Diego.

It said the project is expected to save the San Dieguito Union High School District more than $10 million over the life of the system.

Chevron’s development division, Chevron Energy Solutions, has designed the solar array and will build, operate, maintain and guarantee the system for the district.

Construction should be completed this year, with the project able to produce more than 70% of the electricity needs of the Canyon Crest Academy and La Costa Canyon High School.

It should have the environmental benefits equivalent to taking 400 cars off the roads.

The steel shade structures supporting solar panels will also provide shade for parked cars.

Demonstration

“San Dieguito Union High School District is demonstrating to their students, faculty and community how education institutions can harness the sun to generate energy cost savings and clean, renewable power,” said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions.

“We are also pleased that our collaboration demonstrates to other education institutions the benefits of solar projects.”

Chevron said it is the largest installer of solar systems for the US education sector.

The San Dieguito project has been funded through the Recovery Act, and also qualifies for more than $4 million in incentive payments.

Ken Noah, superintendent of San Dieguito Union High School District, said: “We are proud that this project will provide savings to the district, which is critical in the current economic environment. The project also provides an opportunity to use solar power and improve the environment.”