Greentech Lead America: Scottsdale Unified and SunPower
said their 5.5 MW SunPower solar power systems at 11 district schools will
reduce the district’s electricity costs by $25 million over the next 25 years.
“This project will allow Scottsdale Unified School
District to reduce our electricity costs at the schools receiving these systems
by half, to recover valuable funds needed for our academic programs and to pay
for upgrades,” said Superintendent David J. Peterson.
By partnering with SunPower, Scottsdale Unified School
District is maximizing savings and ensuring clean environment.
SunPower is installing the systems on rooftops as well as
on solar shade structures in parking lots, taking advantage of underutilized
space and providing needed shade. The systems use SunPower solar panels. All
systems are expected to be complete and operational before the end of September.
“School districts across the nation are finding
solar power to be a great way to reduce operating costs and repurpose the
savings to the classroom. SunPower has found it extremely rewarding to deliver
needed savings to our public schools and we commend Scottsdale Unified for its
commitment to using solar power,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president,
regions.
The project was facilitated in part by the APS Renewable
Energy Incentive Program, which offers financial incentives to customers
helping to offset up to 40 percent of the costs of installing solar energy.
The District’s systems were financed through Qualified
School Construction Bonds (QSCBs), allowing them to own the systems and receive
the full benefit of the energy cost savings and APS incentive payments.
According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Scottsdale Unified School District solar power systems will
avoid production of 176,900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 30
years, the equivalent of removing 31,000 cars from Arizona’s highways.