Innovative Combination of Cutting Edge Energy Storage Systems and Solar Power Projected to Save the District About $6 Million
LARKSPUR, Calif., September 16, 2014 – TerraVerde Renewable Partners, an independent energy advisor that helps schools, public agencies and private companies reduce energy costs, today announced that its client, Burton School District, has entered into a contract with SolarCity for the installation of advanced energy storage systems and solar generation systems across nine of their sites. The new systems are projected to save the school district about $6 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years. The Burton School District paired battery storage and solar project will be one of the first of such projects to be implemented under California’s advanced energy storage rules released in late spring.
“We have been chipping away at energy efficiency projects for years, picking all the low hanging fruit,” said Tracy Tucker, Director of Maintenance and Operations at Burton SD. “We chose to engage TerraVerde for analysis and development of our generation and storage project because they were able to look into the feasibility of doing complex projects at no up-front cost to us. There was no financial risk to the district and they have refined a process specifically to meet the needs of public schools and the requirements of Proposition 39.”
The District engaged TerraVerde’s energy advisory services to ensure that they received competitive pricing on high-quality, integrated energy systems designed to address its goals. Through its unique approach, TerraVerde helped the District: understand energy costs; explore all options for energy cost reduction; minimize financial risk; and conserve staff resources.
“Burton School District is an excellent example of tactically pursuing practical measures combined with a forward thinking vision to address low cost generation after reducing as much demand as possible,” said Doug Stoecker, Senior Vice President, TerraVerde. “The District was comfortable evaluating cutting edge measures, like energy storage, due to their prior investment in efficiency, and our independent analysis and validation of the technology, projected savings, and the interplay with an optimally designed solar system.”
By using Proposition 39 funding for Energy Storage, and a PPA to acquire clean, cheaper solar power, the District is able to significantly reduce both the demand and the usage portions of their electricity bill. The result is an installation that provides a hedge against the price increases and changes that are likely to come with the current utility “rate reforms”.
About TerraVerde Renewable Partners
TerraVerde Renewable Partners, headquartered in Larkspur, California, is an independent energy advisor that helps schools, public agencies and private companies reduce energy costs. Selected as CASBO’s Strategic Alliance Partner : Energy Advisor, the firm provides School District’s with comprehensive Proposition 39 program development services. As an independent and objective third party, TerraVerde evaluates the feasibility of energy cost reduction projects at no cost to the client. On behalf of its clients, TerraVerde creates and manages a competitive bid process to secure qualified providers of installation and financing services, oversees implementation of the project, and provides ongoing asset management and performance reporting services to ensure that energy cost savings goals are achieved. For more information, please visit: www.tvrpllc.com.