K-12 solar and energy efficiency program generates $43 million in savings

East Side Union High School District and Chevron Energy Solutions announced the completion of construction for the largest K-12 solar and energy efficiency program in the United States. The program is expected to generate $43 million in savings through a 7.1 MW solar and energy efficiency project on 13 sites.

“Our new solar energy system and the numerous energy efficiency improvements we have made as part of this program will generate savings in the first year equivalent to the funding required for approximately 30 teacher jobs and improve the learning environment,” said Lan Nguyen, president of the East Side Union High School District Board. “At a time when our district is being forced to absorb painful budget cuts, due to the continued economic downturn, this program is a huge reason to celebrate.”

East Side Union High School District expects the program will offset its annual electrical usage by more than 55 percent and supports California’s clean energy goals. As a result, the district expects to reduce its purchase of utility power and in turn, reduce carbon emissions by more than 4,900 metric tons, equivalent to more than 800 football fields of pine forests. In addition, Chevron Energy Solutions delivered professional development for teachers that provided curriculum and hands-on experiments aligned with state standards helping to create a living laboratory to empower environmental awareness and energy consciousness.

Chevron Energy Solutions designed, constructed, operates, maintains, measures and guarantees the solar system’s performance for the district. The company also engineered and installed the energy efficiency improvements at the district including lighting upgrades and installation of premium efficiency motors. Chevron Energy Solutions is one of the largest installers of solar power in the United States education market and has developed hundreds of projects that improve energy efficiency and provide renewable power for education, government and business facilities.