From Green Right Now Reports
Image: Chevron Energy Solutions
Difficult times call for innovative ideas, and the San Francisco Bay Area may be a cleaner place as a result. Faced with dwindling revenues and budget cuts, the San Jose Unified School District once again turns to renewable energy, breaking ground March 11 on a 3.7 MW solar project to be installed over six school sites.
When the sites come online later this year, the district anticipates saving more than $1.5 million in electric utility costs the first year, $7.6 million over five years and $36 million over the life of the project. Those figures are based on lower electricity costs, state incentives and sale of renewable energy credits.
The project also is expected to reduce carbon emissions by some 3,100 metric tons per year.
Chevron Energy Solutions will build and maintain the system, which could employ about 100 local union contractors. Previously, Chevron and the district worked together on a 2008 project that produced a 5.5 MW installation at 14 district sites.
“Our schools will all benefit from these savings, especially in these tough economic times when they’re needed most,” East Side Union High School District Interim Superintendent Dan Moser said in a press release. “Also, this project reduces our carbon footprint and allows us to incorporate solar into our teaching curriculum so our teachers and students can learn about renewable energy technologies firsthand.”
The installation also will help students learn about solar energy, as teachers use hands-on solar kits and activity guides in the classroom.