Add as a preferred source on Google

SoCal School District to Install 21 Solar Canopies

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/07/21

The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) in Long Beach, Calif., has announced that it will add solar canopies in 21 schools in an effort to meet sustainability goals. The solar canopy systems will be owned and operated by Standard Solar, Inc., a nationally recognized community solar assets solutions company. The district and Standard Solar are also partnering with EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems on the project.

Out of the 21 schools, 14 canopies have already been installed and are currently operational. The rest are scheduled for completion by October of this year.

“Standard Solar applauds the Long Beach Unified School District for taking this important step to reduce its impact on the environment,” said Shaun Laughlin, head of U.S. Strategic Development, Partnerships, Project Finance and Acquisitions for Standard Solar. “Adding these projects to our ownership portfolio directly supports our efforts to increase our deployed capital in the West.”

During their first year of operation, the canopies should offset the carbon dioxide equivalent of about 3,000 tons of burned coal. They also serve to reduce the urban heat island (UHI) effect common to densely populated urban areas.

“Clean energy is an essential part of our district-wide sustainability efforts. Our partnership with Standard Solar will help reduce our carbon footprint while saving the district millions of dollars over the 25-year agreement,” said LBUSD Business Services Administrator Alen Reising.

Mechanical and energy services company EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems is also involved in the agreement. “EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems is thrilled to be part of the 21 solar projects for the Long Beach Unified School District as the installing contractor,” said Robert Lake, President of EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems. “The overall project is in excess of four megawatts and consists of multiple solar canopies throughout LBUSD’s elementary school portfolio. In addition to generating power from a sustainable renewable energy source, the canopies will provide shaded areas for the students. We applaud LBUSD for their vision in implementing this aggressive project that will provide lower-cost, clean power for years to come.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • Preparing for the Next Era of Healthcare Education, Innovation

    Across the country, public universities and community colleges are accelerating investments in healthcare education facilities as part of a broader strategy to address workforce shortages, modernize outdated infrastructure, and expand clinical training capacity. These projects, which are often located at the center of campus health and science districts, are no longer limited to traditional classrooms.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

  • Colorado State University Global, SCTE Launch Online Certificate Program

    Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), based in Denver, Colo., recently announced a partnership with CableLabs subsidiary the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) to launch an online certificate training program for broadband professionals, according to a news release.

Digital Edition