Chaffey Joint Unified High School District projected to save millions through solar energy project
SACRAMENTO - Last week, in a unanimous vote, the Chaffey Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a 7.2 MW solar system across eight of their high school sites, becoming the latest California school district to look to solar power to save money.
The project, to be designed, built, and operated by PsomasFMG, LLC, is expected to provide nearly 50 percent of the total electricity the schools consume and save them millions of dollars over the course of the agreement between Chaffey Joint Unified School District and PsomasFMG.
“We are very excited to be working with such a forward thinking District,” said PsomasFMG President Paul Mikos. “The savings generated from this solar project can go directly back into classrooms, where it is needed most. The School Board and District staff did their homework before going forward with the project. They have shown excellent vision in championing this project.”
The Chaffey Unified School District will join over a dozen California school districts who have turned to solar power, including Antelope Valley Union School District (9.6 MW), Milpitas Unified School District in Santa Clara County (3.4 MW), and Sweetwater Union High School District in San Diego, who not only has a 5.3 MW solar PV system, but also a solar thermal system that heats two swimming pools, among many other school districts that have gone solar.
“This cutting-edge partnership serves immediate and long-term needs – saving energy, saving money and creating educational opportunities for our students,” said Mathew Holton, Chaffey District Superintendent.
With a partnership with PsomasFMG, Chaffey Unified School District plans to further capitalize on going solar to use the project to provide a mentoring and internship program, as well as educational opportunities in science and technology for the students as they prepare for future careers.
“Schools have only just begun to tap into the enormous potential solar has for helping schools cut costs and provide clean air for its students to breathe,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, Executive Director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA).
CALSEIA, the California Solar Energy Industries Association, is the nation’s oldest and largest state-based solar industry association representing manufacturers, installers, and distributors of solar panels and related components and technologies throughout the state.