Throughout classrooms in Arizona, students will soon not only go to school knowing that they’re learning environment is using renewable energy, but will also have the chance to learn about emission-free solar power generation. Kennedy Partners with NRG Solar, Pinnacle West, APS and Arizona public officials have all partnered for the creation of a clean energy program, with the first stage seeing NRG Solar and Kennedy constructing twelve large solar pavilions at schools in the Continental Elementary School District, south of Tucson, Arizona, and the Gila Bend Unified School District, southwest of Phoenix.
Additionally, similar projects are being developed by NRG and Kennedy at Payson Unified School District, northeast of Phoenix, and Arlington Elementary School District, west of Phoenix. The public/private partnership gives the schools the ability to use utility incentives as well as federal and state tax benefits.
“To Help Arizona school districts control energy costs, I directed $20 million of the State Energy Program monies be dedicated to upgrade energy efficiencies and add renewable energy programs,” said Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona. “An important aspect of these school projects is that they will be designed and constructed by Arizona companies and built by Arizona workers. These projects are good for Arizona school districts and they are good for the State of Arizona.”
Once all the solar projects are completed, they will produce over 2.5MW of power for the different schools. Moreover, students will be able to learn about renewable solar energy and the benefits it brings to their school as well as to the environment. The pavilions will be built on carports next to the school buildings, with an instilled concept for future installations providing shaded playgrounds, sidewalks or additional benefits for the schools.
Under the agreement, NRG will develop and provide investment capital for the installation and operation of the solar projects. They will continue to work with Kennedy under a joint development agreement on similar projects that fall under Kennedy’s school, government, commercial and institutional umbrella in the Southwest.