California District To Save $39 Million with Solar Power

Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) has installed solar power projects at 20 campuses, with a projected savings of $39 million in energy costs over 30 years.

Installed by SunPower, the projects comprise 5.3 megawatts, which should reduce the district's electricity needs by about 69 percent, and are mostly rooftop arrays and parking lot shade structures. The systems will reduce the district's carbon dioxide output by approximately 4,000 tons per year, equivalent to removing 22,260 cars from the road over the next three decades.

"Going solar makes sense today and for future generations," said Donald Gill, superintendent at AUSD, in a prepared statement. "These SunPower systems will maximize our use of clean, renewable energy and reduce utility expenses. We look forward to using the future savings to enhance the quality of the programs we offer our students."

"Antioch Unified School District can rely on its SunPower solar systems to deliver guaranteed energy performance over the long term," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president of business units, ina  prepared statement. "SunPower works with school districts across California to reduce operating costs and repurpose the savings to the classroom. It is extremely rewarding to partner with our public schools to deliver needed savings, while inspiring teachers and students with the great power and potential of the sun."

AUSD serves more than 19,000 students with approximately 1,800 employees at 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, one K-8 school, two comprehensive high schools, three specialty high schools and two alternative high schools. More information is available at antioch.k12.ca.us.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • female technology director leading a meeting

    Navigating the First Year as a Female Technology Director: A Journey of Leadership and Empowerment

    For women in the landscape of technology leadership, the first year is both a proving ground and a powerful platform. It's a year of listening deeply, learning quickly, leading boldly, and paving the way for others.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • 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."

  • three main icons—a cloud, a user profile, and a padlock—connected by circuit lines on a blue abstract background

    Identity Has Become a Critical Security Perimeter for Cloud Services

    A new threat landscape report from Fortinet points to new cloud vulnerabilities. According to the company's 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report, while misconfigured cloud storage buckets were once a prime vector for cybersecurity exploits, other cloud missteps are gaining focus.