The systems will deliver an estimated $22.6m in energy cost savings and more than $5m in performance-based incentive rebates to the school district over the next 25 years. Construction of the systems is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010.
Mark Skvarna, superintendent for Baldwin Park Unified School District, said: “This project has been a long time coming and we are very excited to be starting it at a time when it is needed most. This is exactly the type of cost-saving project most school districts are looking for today. Not only will we be able to significantly reduce our operating costs and have a positive impact on the environment, we are freeing funds for our core mission which is educating our students. The project will also have a beneficial economic impact on our community, creating many local jobs during construction. We couldn’t be happier with this solution.”
The systems being designed and installed by Solar Power, Inc. will utilize Solar Power Peaq solar shade structure system. The unique systems are designed to provide covered parking while bringing solar electricity generation capability to the parking lots of the eight schools and the district offices.
Brad Ferrell, president of business development for Solar Power, said: “We are uniquely qualified to excel in projects like this one. Our system designs are helping the school district achieve fiscal goals at each of the schools at the lowest possible cost. We are also delivering significant benefit to the local community in the form of jobs during construction, and through the energy cost savings the school district will enjoy for decades.”
