Solar Energy Project Anticipates Saving District Nearly $8.4 Million Over 20 Year Period
SunEdison Canopy at Northwood High School
December 10th, 2015, Livermore, California – During the School Board meeting on November 17th, the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) Board of Trustees approved a solar energy Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) with SunEdison Governmental Solutions LLC (SunEdison). This resolution represents a major milestone in a diligent development process. At the October 6, 2015 School Board meeting, the School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR) and SunEdison, a solar energy developer, presented the solar energy project for information only. On October 20th, 2015, the School Board directed staff to enter into an agreement with SunEdison, and the November resolution to approve the agreement is a major project milestone. With the PPA now secured, plans will move forward to install shaded, illuminated parking structures that contain solar panel canopies at eight (8) school sites:
- Altamont Creek
- Arroyo Seco
- Leo Croce Elementary
- Jackson Elementary
- Marylin Avenue
- Junction K-8
- Granada High
- Livermore High
SunEdison will finance 100% of the project costs. Through the 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 project plans to construct solar panels that double as shaded and illuminated parking structures at eight sites throughout the District. SunEdison will own and operate the solar assets and provide a fixed electricity rate to the District through a 20-year Power Purchasing Agreement. 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. As the selected solar supplier to SPURR members, SunEdison is working with 250 school districts across California to convert to sustainable solar energy.
About Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District serves approximately 12,600 students in transitional kindergarten through the 12th grade in eight elementary schools, two K-8 schools – including one school with the International Baccalaureate program, three middle schools, two comprehensive high schools, and two alternative schools. Our teachers offer inspiring programs that prepare students to contribute and thrive in their community. For more information about the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District please visit www.livermoreschools.com.
About SunEdison
SunEdison manufactures solar technology and develops, finances, installs and operates distributed solar power plants, delivering predictably priced electricity and services to its residential, commercial, government and utility customers. SunEdison also provides 24/7 asset management, monitoring and reporting services for hundreds of solar systems worldwide via the company’s Renewable Operation Center (ROC). To learn more visit www.sunedison.com.
About SPURR
The School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) formed in 1989 pursuant to the California Government Code’s Joint Exercise of Powers Act. SPURR aggregates purchasing power and expertise for California public school districts, county offices of education, and community college districts. Visit SPURR at www.spurr.org.
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