CA District Deploying Solar at 8 Sites

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 07/23/19

Orange Unified School District has begun construction on its first solar project. The installation will include a combination of ground-mounted and shade canopies at eight district sites, generating a projected 3.6 million kilowatts of renewable electricity during the first year of operation. The school system, which has 28,000 students, is working with Ameresco on the project.

The district said the use of solar would reduce carbon emissions by 2,512 metric tons, the annual equivalent of taking 533 cars off the road for a year.

"Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar is a cornerstone of this district’s long-term sustainability plan," said OUSD Energy Manager, Andrew Durrett, in a statement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ameresco will pay all costs, including the design, construction, operation, and ongoing maintenance of the solar panels. Under these kinds of deals, often, the solar project is installed under a long-term "net metering" structure. The district will purchase solar power generated through the installation from Ameresco and sell it to the local utility; in return the district will receive credits that are applied to its utility bills. Because electricity is worth more when it is used to offset a retail bill than when it is sold into the commodity wholesale market, the approach is projected to provide greater savings than having the district buy the electricity from Ameresco and use it directly in its buildings.

"In today’s dollars, the anticipated savings in utility costs to be realized by this agreement is projected at $5.3 million, which has been confirmed by an independent third-party energy specialist," said Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, David Rivera. Money generated through solar savings will be folded into the district's reserves.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Minnesota District Partners with Kraus-Anderson on Four Construction Projects

    Stillwater Area Schools in Lake Elmo, Minn., recently announced a partnership with Kraus-Anderson for construction projects at four schools in the district, according to a news release. The projects’ funding comes from a $175-million referendum passed in November 2023.

  • DLR Group Hires Higher Education Business Development Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that Senior Associate Megan Todd will serve as its new Higher Education Business Development Leader, according to a news release. Her responsibilities will include building the firm’s reach and client relationships in the California higher education sector, based out of San Diego.

  • New Kent State Academic Building Earns LEED Silver Certification

    Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, recently announced that its newest academic building, Crawford Hall, has earned a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The facility was recognized for its innovative design, water conservation technologies, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable construction materials, among other features.

  • Nonprofit Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), according to a news release. CLIMB’s ultimate purpose is to help higher-education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes by providing tools, frameworks, and support.

Digital Edition