by Shane Henson — February 3, 2012—Chevron Energy Solutions, a developer of efficient facility projects that reduce energy costs, recently announced the completion of a 592-kilowatt solar electric system that the company says will reduce energy costs for operations at nine elementary school sites in Huntington Beach, California, reduce carbon emissions by more than 850 metric tons, and save the district more than $15 million over the life of the project.
According to Chevron Energy Solutions, the new system is part of a project that adds solar photovoltaic panels mounted on shade structures to five campuses, upgrades interior lighting at nine campuses, and replaces rooftop cooling/heating unit at two campuses, including upgraded controls.
It is the first energy efficiency and solar project at an elementary school district in Orange County. Chevron Energy Solutions designed and engineered the solar system, provided the installation, and will perform operation and maintenance services, as well as guaranteeing the system’s performance, which is expected to meet more than 30 percent of the district’s demand for electricity.
The company also implemented the energy efficiency improvements to campus heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems, which are expected to reduce the district’s annual energy consumption and provide other benefits, including improved lighting quality and aesthetics, reduced maintenance costs, and consistent indoor climate quality.
Southern California Edison presented an incentive check totaling $1,295,144 to the Huntington Beach City School District at a recent board meeting as part of the California Solar Incentive, which is administered by the utility.
As an added benefit, teachers are able to tie information from the project to the California Math and Science curriculum standards through informational displays that provide real-time data on how much solar is being produced and the corresponding environmental benefits.
