The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and SunPower Corp. have announced plans for a 1.1 MW solar carport to be installed at Valhalla High School in El Cajon, Calif.
SunPower will build and own the system, and GUHSD will buy the energy under a power purchase agreement. The solar company estimates that 78.5% of the high school’s energy will be offset as a result of the deal, saving $6.3 million in electricity costs over the next 20 years. The project is slated to be online by year-end.
“Any reduction in utility cost allows us to redirect limited resources to academic programs, faculty support or additional facility upgrades,” explains GUHSD Deputy Superintendent Scott Patterson.
“School districts work hard to maximize value from their limited resources,” says Howard Wenger, SunPower president of business units. “SunPower’s power purchase agreements give districts the ability to enhance their operational budgets by providing competitive electricity rates and a hedge against potential utility rate increases, with no upfront capital investment.”
SunPower adds that is has installed solar power systems at 23 school districts totaling more than 90 MW across California.
