San Jose is a leader in solar energy, so it's no surprise that school districts are moving toward this green energy source that also will save them money. Campbell Union High School District is just getting started, and San Jose Unified is well into its program.
On Sept. 24, Branham High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the first school in the Campbell district to begin using solar panels instead of electricity. Branham's arrays cover the entire student parking lot. In addition, they offer better lighting and security and block rain.
"I'm proud and excited to have had everyone come here for the ribbon cutting and to save money to help instruction and college scholarships for our students," said Brian Thompson, Branham principal.
Other CUHSD schools in San Jose will follow, with the district expecting Prospect High to be completed sometime during October and Leigh and Boynton to follow. The Branham project began when school let out for the summer in June. All the other high schools and the district office will also be moving to solar panels. The 3.7-megawatt system will go online in October at a cost of $17.4 million. It includes a security system.
The school has been paying about $900,000 a year for electricity. When all CUHSD structures are complete, the district anticipates an 85 percent savings, adding $750,000 to its general fund.
If the district doesn't need all the power generated by the arrays, it will be possible for Pacific Gas and Electric Company to purchase it. The power will then go to the grid and its cost credited to the district. However, PG&E can zero out the district's bills but isn't legally required to purchase the excess power.
Overall, the system has been built to provide about 80 percent to 90 percent of the district's electrical needs. Some years it may generate more than the district needs and others less, but the general fund savings is significant, says Mark Bartos, an architect with Bartos Architecture.
The district started looking into solar power in 1999 and added panels for use in its new science buildings. In recent years, the district began investigating solar technology for modernization and new construction projects.
Chevron approached the district and proposed a $34-plus million contract to install the 3.7-megawatt solar system, without a security system. However, the district's board of trustees decided to look for partners to produce a lower-cost system and to offer plans to other districts, counties, cities and public agencies to produce comparable systems.
The result is a set of plans developed by Bartos, who donated the plan's copyright, which the district can now market to other districts and public or private entities in conjunction with partners Bartos Architecture and Environplex. The latter manufactured and is installing the solar arrays.
CUHSD plans to use the revenues generated from the plan sales for its college scholarship fund.
The district obtained competitive pricing for the project and financing through Bank of America.
San Jose Unified also is generating some of its power needs through solar arrays. With the help of Chevron Energy Systems and Bank of America financing, the district's program offers a 5.5-megawatt solar installation across 14 district sites. It's expected to reduce the district's energy costs by more than 30 percent and save its general fund more than $25 million through the system's life.
The project's first phase, 2.2 megawatts, was installed at Gunderson, Leland and Pioneer high schools and San Jose High Academy. The second phase added 3.5 megawatts to 10 different sites. The district also added high-efficiency motors and variable-speed drives at its swimming pools.
The district also has solar facilities at its Corporate Yard and Bret Harte, Burnett, Castillero, John Muir and Willow Glen middle schools, as well as Willow Glen High and Allen at Steinbeck, a K-8 school. Hacienda Elementary, the district's science magne, boasts a small nine-panel project.
Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/san-jose-neighborhoods/ci_21702908/branham-joins-other-san-jose-area-schools-going
On Sept. 24, Branham High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate the first school in the Campbell district to begin using solar panels instead of electricity. Branham's arrays cover the entire student parking lot. In addition, they offer better lighting and security and block rain.
"I'm proud and excited to have had everyone come here for the ribbon cutting and to save money to help instruction and college scholarships for our students," said Brian Thompson, Branham principal.
Other CUHSD schools in San Jose will follow, with the district expecting Prospect High to be completed sometime during October and Leigh and Boynton to follow. The Branham project began when school let out for the summer in June. All the other high schools and the district office will also be moving to solar panels. The 3.7-megawatt system will go online in October at a cost of $17.4 million. It includes a security system.
The school has been paying about $900,000 a year for electricity. When all CUHSD structures are complete, the district anticipates an 85 percent savings, adding $750,000 to its general fund.
If the district doesn't need all the power generated by the arrays, it will be possible for Pacific Gas and Electric Company to purchase it. The power will then go to the grid and its cost credited to the district. However, PG&E can zero out the district's bills but isn't legally required to purchase the excess power.
Overall, the system has been built to provide about 80 percent to 90 percent of the district's electrical needs. Some years it may generate more than the district needs and others less, but the general fund savings is significant, says Mark Bartos, an architect with Bartos Architecture.
The district started looking into solar power in 1999 and added panels for use in its new science buildings. In recent years, the district began investigating solar technology for modernization and new construction projects.
Chevron approached the district and proposed a $34-plus million contract to install the 3.7-megawatt solar system, without a security system. However, the district's board of trustees decided to look for partners to produce a lower-cost system and to offer plans to other districts, counties, cities and public agencies to produce comparable systems.
The result is a set of plans developed by Bartos, who donated the plan's copyright, which the district can now market to other districts and public or private entities in conjunction with partners Bartos Architecture and Environplex. The latter manufactured and is installing the solar arrays.
CUHSD plans to use the revenues generated from the plan sales for its college scholarship fund.
The district obtained competitive pricing for the project and financing through Bank of America.
San Jose Unified also is generating some of its power needs through solar arrays. With the help of Chevron Energy Systems and Bank of America financing, the district's program offers a 5.5-megawatt solar installation across 14 district sites. It's expected to reduce the district's energy costs by more than 30 percent and save its general fund more than $25 million through the system's life.
The project's first phase, 2.2 megawatts, was installed at Gunderson, Leland and Pioneer high schools and San Jose High Academy. The second phase added 3.5 megawatts to 10 different sites. The district also added high-efficiency motors and variable-speed drives at its swimming pools.
The district also has solar facilities at its Corporate Yard and Bret Harte, Burnett, Castillero, John Muir and Willow Glen middle schools, as well as Willow Glen High and Allen at Steinbeck, a K-8 school. Hacienda Elementary, the district's science magne, boasts a small nine-panel project.
Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/san-jose-neighborhoods/ci_21702908/branham-joins-other-san-jose-area-schools-going
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