SMC Office Of Education Plugs Into Massive Solar Savings And Sustainability

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Local leaders and clean energy advocates gathered late April at the San Mateo County Office of Education to celebrate the activation of a state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic system.

The 400-kilowatt installation, featuring both rooftop and carport panels, is projected to generate 13 million kilowatt-hours of clean power over the next two decades, yielding more than $1.5 million in savings for taxpayers, official said.

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The system is a cornerstone of Peninsula Clean Energy’s GovPV program. On peak days, the new array is capable of producing more electricity than the SMCOE facility requires, effectively turning the building into a net-positive energy site.

“Sustainability is a core practice of the County Office of Education, and this new solar array is a shining example of our commitment,” said San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Marco Chávez. He emphasized that the project aims to serve as a blueprint for school districts throughout the region to adopt similar green technologies.

The collaboration is part of a broader partnership that provides career and technical training for students in clean energy trades and supports a School Decarbonization Program to transition local schools to all-electric power.

“This project reflects what’s possible when local communities lead on climate solutions,” added Redwood City Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos. Officials noted that the project was also among the first to benefit from federal Inflation Reduction Act incentives, allowing tax-exempt public entities to claim credits directly to lower energy costs.

Peninsula Clean Energy, the official electricity provider for San Mateo County and Los Banos, plans to complete 36 similar installations by June 2026. Other featured sites include the Menlo Park Library, Millbrae City Hall, and the San Bruno Aquatic Center, part of a region-wide effort to reach 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025.