Livermore Schools Going Solar

LIVERMORE, CA - The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) Board of Trustees have approved a solar project that includes illuminated parking structures that contain solar panel canopies at eight school sites. SunEdison will finance 100% of the project costs, and will own and maintain the assets. Through a Power Purchasing Agreement, the District will receive a fixed rate of electricity for 20 years, with savings anticipated at $204,166 in year one and nearly $8.4 million over the 20-year lifespan of the contract.

“Through collaboration with school districts to benchmark best practices on cost savings programs, we found that implementing energy conservation methods significantly improve the bottom line,” said Kelly Bowers, LVJUSD Superintendent. “The solar structures will dramatically cut the District’s energy costs and provide safe and comfortable parking and shade structures on select campuses.”

The schools that will receive the solar panels are:

· Altamont Creek

· Arroyo Seco

· Leo Croce Elementary

· Jackson Elementary

· Marylin Avenue

· Junction K-8

· Granada High

· Livermore High

Implementing the solar program now will allow the District to leverage increased savings through Federal and State incentives that are set to expire in 2016.

--Image courtesy SunEdison