SunPower helps save on utility costs
Published: February 1, 2011
In these tough fiscal times, when schools can save money and the environment at the same time, it’s a win-win for everyone.
The Mount Diablo Unified School District announced plans in December to install solar systems at 51 schools, which will replace about 80 percent of the electricity used at each school. The district expects to save $192 million over the life of the equipment, which usually lasts 25 to 30 years.
“Saving our schools money while reducing emissions is the right thing to do for our students and the environment,” said Mount Diablo school board member Gary Eberhart.
The systems are being designed by SunPower, a company founded 25 years ago in California that now works with CSBA to provide the Solar Schools Program.
Other California school districts that have used SunPower to help them reduce their energy costs include the Los Angeles Unified School District, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and others, including several colleges and universities.
“Our board studied this carefully and was very thoughtful in its decision to bring a solar initiative into our district and to select SunPower as the provider,” said San Ramon Superintendent Steve Enoch, who expects the district to save about $2 million in the first year. “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 has designed its E-Series solar panels to be the most efficient solar panels commercially available,” said Bill Kelly, the SunPower executive working with CSBA on the program. “The high-efficiency technology makes it possible to get more production and more savings from less surface area,” he explained.
“The company is working with the Division of the State Architect to pre-approve designs for solar systems, which really helps streamline and expedite the process. And because the projects have been built many times before, our delivered savings are ‘spot on,’” Kelly said.
Buildings or sites with a sufficient area exposed to the sun are generally good candidates for solar power. Each system is designed to match the school’s electrical usage, and yet additional energy is always available from the grid if it’s needed.
Some cities have set goals for reducing their carbon footprint, and schools are natural leaders in educating their communities.
“Solar installations at school sites are a great way to bring environmental education to California schools,” Kelly said. Some of the units move to follow the sun during the day, which can capture students’ interest and open up a discussion about environmental issues.
But, as laudable as the environmental reasons are, when it comes time to sign a contract to build a new solar system “it’s all about delivering savings to districts’ general fund,” Kelly says. “It has to make sense economically. And when schools can use general obligation bonds, the savings start immediately.”
Savings depend on the size of the school and the solar system it is using. SunPower representatives can help local educational agencies determine whether solar power makes sense for them.
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