These schools are taking advantage of the California Solar Initiative and installing solar projects, an incentive program to get companies, schools, and homes to switch to solar power. The program gives cash back for installing solar power, California hopes to move the state towards running completely on clean energy, from using a coffee maker in the morning, to opening your garage door, California wants its residents to operate on solar power. The program almost works like a rebate program, where residents are reimbursed for installing solar power and then receiving incentives on their bill.
It is estimated that California schools will be saving up to $1.5 billion over 30 years with the installation of solar power systems. School boards need to make every dollar count, and SunPower believes that their partnership with the schools is a step in the right direction both economically and environmentally.
This school district is scheduled to install solar power in five of its schools. The San Ramon Unified School District will save an estimated $2 million dollars in energy cost in its first year of solar installation. This district has also implemented renewable energy education in its courses. Students can take classes that specifically focus on energy, how to create clean energy, and how to find alternative energy sources. SunPower is working with San Ramon's engineering department to prepare students for future careers in clean technology fields. SunPower hopes to introduce similar curriculum into other schools participating in solar power installations.
The solar power systems are scheduled to be completed by the fall of this year.
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/22/idUS113667918120110822
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