Sun Panels For Schools

In celebration of Earth Day, 2014 the Pajaro Valley School District (PVUSD) dedicated the first two of five schools to get solar power systems designed an built by SunPower Corporation. When completed the PVUSD estimates that, based on its current utility rates, the solar power generated by the five systems will save approximately $380,000 in annual electricity costs.

Hall Elementary School in Watsonville and Bradley Elementary School in Corralitos are the first two ready to go online as the PVUSD and SunPower celebrated the planned installation of 1.2-megawatts of high efficiency SunPower solar power systems at the five district schools.

Brett McFadden, chief business officer of PVUSD said, “We expect that these solar SunPower systems will replace approximately 74 percent of the electricity usage at the five school sites, allowing the District to use the estimated $380,000 in savings for our academic and enrichment programs. With SunPower’s proven technology and reliability we are maximizing our utility savings and minimizing the district’s carbon footprint. It is the right thing to do for our students and our community and the community made it possible by passing Measure L providing the funding for these kinds of improvements.”

These SunPower installations consist of solar shade structures over parking lots or playgrounds at the five district schools. This takes advantage of existing underutilized space while providing needed shade. Construction is substantially complete on two of the five systems Construction of the three other systems is to be completed this summer.

According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the solar power systems at PVUSD are expected to offset more than 921 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

McFadden said, “Part of our agreement with SunPower is a ten year maintenance program which includes inspecting and cleaning each installation four times per year. The installation also includes monitoring devices for the school so that students can actually see what the power panels are doing.”

Nicole Marsh of Bradley Elementary School said, “This is a definite win-win for the school. While reducing costs, we are freeing up funding for academic programs. At the same time it is a great way for our students to learn about solar power and how it works. The new common core curriculum emphasizes learning from such practical applications. This is not just a source of power, it’s an educational component that may lead some of our students into thinking about careers they might not have otherwise.”