Green Schools | News

East Side Union High School District To Save $42 Million With Solar Power

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 05/23/11

The East Side Union High School District in California has completed a solar energy project that will generate $43 million in energy savings over 25 years.

The 7.1 megawatt system was installed at 13 sites in the district and is the largest K-12 solar installation in the United States, according to information released by ESUHSD.

District Superintendant Dan Moser said that ESUHSD expects the $25 million system to save $2.8 million per year for the first five years, and $1.2 to $1.6 million per year for the next 10.

The system, which will offset 55 percent of the district's energy use and reduce carbon emissions by 4,900 metric tons, was designed, constructed, and guaranteed by Chevron Energy Solutions. The company also installed other energy efficiency improvements, including lighting upgrades and premium efficiency motors.

Chevron Energy Solutions also provided curriculum and experiments using the system and aligned with state standards.

"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.