SolarCity to power 26 Los Angeles schools with solar energy

SolarCity has announced a 7.4MW solar power project that will bring renewable energy to 26 Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools.

The solar power systems will provide clean electricity for use by the schools during the day. They will also reduce the need for expensive peak power utility production while lowering transmission costs.

SolarCity said the project would bring “immediate and long-term” cost savings to the district. It is understood that 17 schools have already had systems installed, and the company has contracted with the district to install an additional nine schools by the first half of 2013.

SolarCity estimates that, as a result of the project, the schools will save over US$776,000 in their first year and more than US$25 million over the next 20 years.

Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO, said: “SolarCity’s 26-school solar project will help LAUSD achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals while preserving budget dollars for teachers and student services.

“The LAUSD project will teach future generations about the environmental benefits of solar, and help ensure that the City of Los Angeles remains a leader in solar adoption.”

Kim Kennedy, Senior Facilities Project Manager for LAUSD, commented: “Los Angeles Unified School District strives to be the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly large urban school district in the country.”

Educationally, the solar projects will provide students with firsthand demonstrations of how solar technology works, and of solar energy’s benefits.

SolarCity has completed or undertaken more than 200 solar projects for US schools, community colleges and universities.