SunPower Installing PV On Six Schools

n Ramon Valley Unified School District board of education in California has approved a contract with SunPower Corp. to install solar power systems totaling more than 3 MW at six schools in the district. The purchase of the systems will be financed using low-interest Qualified School Construction Bonds available as a result of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The solar power generated by the systems is expected to offset an average of 80% of the electricity costs at each school, achieving an estimated savings of more than $2 million for the district in the first year. At the six schools (including California High School, Dougherty Valley High School, Monte Vista High School, San Ramon Valley High School, Diablo Vista Middle School and Gale Ranch Middle School), SunPower will be installing solar carport tracking systems that provide shade as well as generate solar electric power. The solar panels will be manufactured at SunPower's new panel manufacturing facility in Milpitas, Calif. Construction will be complete by the end of next year. SunPower will also be partnering with the district to provide lesson plans on energy, and using the systems as educational tools to help students understand solar power. SOURCE: [link=http://www.sunpowercorp.com/]SunPower Corp.[/lin