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

  • restroom sinks

    CSU Dominguez Hills Standardizes Plumbing to Improve Restroom Maintenance and Efficiency

    At California State University, Dominguez Hills, facilities leaders have taken steps to standardize restroom fixtures as part of a broader effort to improve maintenance efficiency and control long-term costs.

  • Different Starting Points, Same End Goal

    Higher education campuses can enhance student experience by implementing mobile credentials to streamline building access, on-campus payments, and access to other amenities. This enables students to connect to their campuses through the technology they use most: their mobile devices.

  • Recent University of Pennsylvania Projects Receive LEED Certifications

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently announced that three of its recent construction projects have earned LEED certifications, according to university news. The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) received a LEED Platinum certification, Amy Gutmann Hall a LEED Gold, and the OTT Center for Track and Field a LEED silver.

  • 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.

Digital Edition