by Shane Henson — September 14, 2012—Chevron Energy Solutions, a developer of efficient facility projects that reduce energy costs, benefit the environment and ensure clean, reliable power, was contracted to build a 2.7 megawatt solar and energy efficiency project expected to reduce energy costs at 27 school sites within the Jurupa Unified School District.
According to Chevron, the recently completed project added solar photovoltaic panels mounted on parking and shade structures at nine campuses; replaced 400 air-conditioning units, most of them more than 20 years old; and upgraded more than 21,000 lighting fixtures.
Chevron, reportedly one of the largest installers of solar power in the U.S. education market, designed, engineered and installed the solar system, and will perform operation and maintenance services, as well as guarantee the system’s performance. The company says it also implemented energy efficiency improvements to campus heating, ventilation and air conditioning and lighting systems, which are expected to reduce the district’s annual energy consumption, improve lighting quality and aesthetics, reduce maintenance costs, and provide consistent indoor climate quality.
In addition to helping the Jurupa California school district operate more sustainably, the project is expected to save the district more than $34 million. Chevron also anticipates that the project will cut the district’s electrical utility purchases by 26% and reduce carbon emissions by more than 3,463 metric tons, equal to removing about 679 cars from the road.
