West Sonoma County Union High School District Flips the Switch on 834kW Solar Installation by Real Goods Solar
Arrays Expected to Provide 80% of District's Power
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the commencement of the school year, West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) announced the commissioning of a solar power system which will provide approximately 80% of the power needs at Analy, El Molino and Laguna High Schools. Real Goods Solar designed, engineered and installed the 834kW system, remarkably, in less than four months.
Funded through Measure I bond money, the District will own the system, which will help it balance its budget and focus on its core mission, education.
The system, 70% elevated solar array and 30% ground mount, employs more than 2,600 Sunpower 320 modules. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) compliant, all parts are made in America. Using some of the most efficient solar panels available, the district is expected to produce approximately 1,250 megawatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power roughly 300 homes.
WSCUHSD Superintendent Keller McDonald explained, "Using solar will save the school district approximately $250,000 a year, plus the state of California will be providing an incentive for building the project of approximately $1.1 million, to be paid out over the next five years."
Real Goods Solar intends to maximize the educational value of the system by installing a state of the art monitoring device and touch screen monitors, providing students hands-on lessons in renewable energy. In addition, the company is developing a solar curriculum to include training, educational materials and field trips provided by the Solar Living Institute near Hopland, California, where students will visit Real Goods Solar's 12-acre solar demonstration center.
According to Tyson Grul, Director of Commercial Solar for Real Goods, the tight timeframe provided some challenges, but the work was worth the reward, "As a graduate of WSCUHSD, I find it particularly gratifying to be helping reduce its carbon footprint. With school continually facing budget cuts, this is a great example of a district taking control over its financial future and proving that 'green energy' is good for the environment and the economy."
About Real Goods Solar
Real Goods Solar is a leading solar energy integrator, having installed over 11,500 solar electric systems for homes, schools and businesses. We offer turnkey solutions, and have 33 years of experience in solar energy, beginning with its sale of the first solar photovoltaic panels in the U.S. in 1978. With 15 offices in California, Colorado and the Northeast, Real Goods Solar is one of the largest solar installers in the country. For more information, visit www.RealGoodsSolar.com or call 1-888-56-SOLAR.
SOURCE Real Goods Solar
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