Oakland USD Adds Solar To Reduce Energy Costs, Increase STEM Opportunities

Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has installed solar panels at 16 schools, totaling 3.6 megawatts. In addition to energy, the installations will provide STEM education opportunities for OUSD students.

Installed by SunPower, the photovoltaic systems are mounted on rooftops and parking lot shade structures and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2,500 tons per year, equivalent to removing nearly 12,000 cars from the road over the length of their 25-year lifespan.

"Educational programs provided by SunPower to OUSD include Project Lead the Way engineering programs for four district elementary schools, professional development for teachers to learn about solar design and installation and participation in the SunPower Solar Science Academy," according to a news release. "The Solar Academy is a one week summer project- and work-based learning program that immerses students and teachers in a solar-focused curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students gain work-ready skills in team collaboration, problem solving and public speaking while learning real world technical skills to design and perform financial analysis for residential solar systems."

"Oakland Unified School District wants to reduce its impact on the environment through the use of clean renewable energy, which also dramatically reduces utility expenses and energy use, providing us with the savings to enhance academic programs and support our teachers," said OUSD Superintendent Antwan Wilson, in a prepared statement. "We are also excited to be working with SunPower in an effort to expand the learning opportunities for our students and expose them to linked learning initiatives that will help them become college and career ready."

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.