Central School District has announced the completion of the first phase of an aggregate 1.5 MW solar generation project. The system is designed to generate more than 2 million kWh of electricity in the first year and meet 75% of the California school district’s electricity needs.
A celebration and ribbon cutting were held at Ruth Musser Middle School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Representatives from Central School District, Constellation and PFMG Solar attended the event.
“The new solar power system will help the district to maintain stable electricity costs and serve as an educational resource for our students to learn about renewable energy,” says Donna Libutti, superintendent of Central School District. “It will help us to save an estimated $6 million to $7 million in energy costs over the next 25 years.”
The solar project required no upfront capital from the school district. Solar firm PFMG Solar worked with Central School District to develop it, and energy company Constellation financed the project’s development and owns and will operate the system.
Central School District will buy the electricity generated by the system through a 25-year power purchase agreement with Constellation. Rosendin Electric Inc. provided design and construction services.
When completed, the district-wide solar power project will be consist of approximately 5,052 photovoltaic panels located at seven school sites. Construction of phase two, located at Central Elementary School, is scheduled to begin in June.
