Largest US school solar contract redirects money to education (Calif.)

[jpak]

http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/mount-diablo-schools-go-solar-120310/

The largest school solar project in the United States, announced Thursday, will provide approximately 95 percent of the energy and reduce utility bills by about $3 million a year for the Mount Diablo Unified School District in northern California, according to a school district official.

The 11.2 mega-watt contract with SunPower stands out against all other school contracts in the country.

“We really wanted to get as much off the grid as we could with this project,” said Pete Pedersen, who retired last year as the district’s assistant superintendent of administrative services and is now working as the bond administrator in order to see the project through to the end.
Voters approved a $348 million bond program, maturing in 2017, last June, and this is the first big project on the docket.

Construction will begin at the start of next year, Pedersen said. Photovoltaic solar panels will be installed on every school and facility, save two small ones, in three phases—each including 17 structures.

<more>

[donco6]

1. We've applied twice for a grant to install solar cells.

Unfortunately, we've been denied both times. It's an arrangement between Xcel Energy and another electrical generation company that leases space on top of schools, then sells the electricity back to the school at a much lower rate. The solar generation company tries to qualify for rebates on the cost of their solar panels through a grant program that Xcel offers, but it keeps running out of money just as we're getting into it. We wouldn't have to pay any capital costs, but would have to agree to pay for the energy generated for 10 years. It's a sweet deal. Wish it would finally come through.

[NYC_SKP]

2. You should be able to do it without a grant. It's called a PPA, or Power Purchase Agreement

I've been working all week on a RFP, Request for Proposal, for two large school solar systems and I've met with reps from Solar City and SunPower and other vendors.

I don't see any reason your schools can't find a way to get a PPA done that will reduce your energy costs and get more green energy to the grid, unless you're roofs aren't adequate AND you don't have space for ground mounted modules or shaded parking structures.

Don't give up, it should be doable.

:thumbsup: