by Ann Withanee — November 16, 2011—California’s San Ramon Valley Unified School District has dedicated SunPower solar power systems at five district schools, totaling 3.3 megawatts of solar capacity. The systems are expected to generate more than two-thirds of the schools’ energy demands, significantly reducing each school’s electricity bill by $20 million.
Looking at the long-term 25-year life of the systems, Superintendent Steven Enoch expects that the energy-saving SunPower systems will “bring millions of dollars in budget relief.” The savings will be earmarked to benefit students now and in the future, by channeling those savings to the school district’s academic mission, says Enoch.
Completed in October, the five solar power systems feature 10,272 high-efficiency SunPower E19 / 320 Solar Panels manufactured less than 40 miles away in Milpitas, California. Over the systems’ 25-year life, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District is expected to save more than $20,000,000 in electricity costs that can be directed back into the District’s general fund. “At a time when schools are hard-pressed to reduce operating expenses, SunPower is working with K-12 schools, community colleges and universities to finance solar power solutions that supply considerable and ongoing savings,” said SunPower Managing Director Bill Kelly.
The SunPower systems were installed at California High School, Dougherty Valley High School, Monte Vista High School, San Ramon Valley High School and Diablo Vista Middle School.
During the 2011 to 2012 school year, SunPower is actively installing solar power systems at more than 90 school facilities in California, including the new systems at five schools in the San Ramon Valley School District.
A global company, SunPower Corp. designs, manufactures and delivers solar panels and systems to business, residential, government and utility customers.
