SolarCity to Power 26 Los Angeles Unified School District Schools with Solar Energy

7.4 MW Project Expected to Save School District $776,000 in Energy Costs in First Year, More than $25 million Over Next 20 Years

SolarCity today announced a 7.4-megawatt (MW) solar power project that will bring renewable energy to 26 Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools. The project will bring immediate and long-term cost savings to the District and is expected to save more than $776,000 in their first year and more than $25 million over the next 20 years.

Seventeen schools have already been installed, and SolarCity has contracted with the District to install an additional nine schools by the first half of 2013. The solar power systems will provide clean electricity for use by the schools during the day and reduce the need for expensive peak power utility production and lowering transmission costs.

SolarCity has completed or undertaken more than 200 solar projects for U.S. schools, community colleges and universities.

“SolarCity’s 26-school solar project will help LAUSD achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals while preserving budget dollars for teachers and student services,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “The LAUSD project will teach future generations about the environmental benefits of solar, and help ensure that the City of Los Angeles remains a leader in solar adoption.”

“Los Angeles Unified School District strives to be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly large urban school district in the country,” said Kim Kennedy, Senior Facilities Project Manager for LAUSD. More than 640,000 students attend school in the district, at over 900 schools, and 187 public charter schools.

Educationally, the solar projects will provide students with firsthand demonstrations of how solar technology works, and of solar energy’s benefits. SolarCity has developed a “solar walking tour” featuring educational signage illustrated with infographics and descriptions of the projects. Students will be able to follow the solar electricity from the photovoltaic panels through the various electrical components and finally back to the classroom, where students can view the school’s real-time energy production.

To further ensure that the solar systems are as educational as they are functional, each school will be equipped with a solar demonstration kit.

SolarCity has completed solar installation projects at these LAUSD schools: Byrd Middle School, East Valley Middle School No. 2, Gage Middle School, Narbonne High School, Reseda High School, South East Middle School, South East High School, South Gate High School, South Region Elementary School No. 5, South Region Elementary School No. 10, South Region Elementary School No. 9, South Regional High School No. 9, Southeast Area New Learning Center, Valley Region Elementary School No. 10, Valley Region Hesby Span K, and White Middle School.

Source: Business Wire