"This solar system isn't just teaching our students about environmental and financial responsibility -- it's showing them," said Kelly Reitz, a manager at SPG solar, which installed more than 4,400 panels at American Canyon High School.
About 75,000 acres of the photovoltaic cells now line the roofs of the school's gym and multi-purpose building as well as standalone arrays on the east end of campus.American Canyon High, in its second year of operation, was designed as a high-tech campus that is also environmentally friendly and sustainable.
More than 80 percent of the school's energy needs will be provided by the solar array, said Aaron Jobson, an architect with Santa Rosa-based Quattrochi Kwok Architects and the project architect for American Canyon High School.
And this means the school will produce 786,000 pounds less in carbon dioxide emissions, said Joshua Townsend, government relations manager for Pacific Gas & Electric.
Through PG&E incentives, the school is expected to save $2 million every year for the next five years, Townsend said. During the next 25 years, the solar panels could save the school up to $17 million.
The school was also presented with a plaque from Bill Orr, executive director of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools. American Canyon High was the first in the nation to go through the CHPS green certification process.
Source: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_19354920
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