Case Study: San José Unified School District
Solar Power and Energy Efficiency Program
San José, California

Background
San José Unified School District (the district) serves approximately 32,000 students and covers one hundred square miles in Northern California's Silicon Valley.

The district wanted to create a solar program that delivered general fund savings, education opportunities, environmental stewardship and exemplary leadership. With limits on its use of general fund dollars, the district sought an innovative solution. In 2007, it announced that it had entered into a unique partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions and Bank of America to build one of the largest solar power and energy-efficient facilities programs in K–12 education in the United States.

Solution
The solar power and energy efficiency program includes a 5.5-megawatt solar installation across 14 district sites, energy efficiency measures, and an energy education component. The program is expected to reduce energy costs by more than 30 percent and save the district’s general fund more than $25 million over the life of the system. The California Solar Initiative and other incentives offset the total project cost by more than $11 million.

The project was constructed in two phases. In Phase I, solar photovoltaic arrays with a total generating capacity of 2 megawatts were installed at four high schools. The installations consisted of rooftop arrays at Gunderson High School and San José High Academy and parking lot shade canopies at Gunderson, Pioneer and Leland High Schools and San José High Academy.

In Phase II, 3.5 megawatts of capacity were added to the system and installed at 10 new sites. To improve energy efficiency, premium high-efficiency motors and variable-speed drives were installed at the district’s swimming pools.

Educational displays installed at the 14 sites illustrate the solar power system’s production and site electricity usage. The displays are used to teach students about renewable energy, energy use patterns, and conservation.

Chevron Energy Solutions (CES), designed, built and operates the solar energy system. CES also maintains the system and measures, verifies and guarantees its performance.

Bank of America owns the solar equipment and sells power to the district through its Banc of America Public Capital Corp Energy Services team. The district will purchase electricity under a service contract at set rates below market utility rates. This arrangement provides the district with general fund savings and budget predictability.

Benefits

• Delivers more than $25 million in energy cost savings over the 25-year life of the project
• Reduces the district’s electric power purchases by more than 30 percent over the life of the system
• Provides budget stability and predictability through known energy costs
• Delivers dollars back into the classroom
• Provides energy science learning curriculum aligned with the state’s testing standards
• District serves as a role model in their community and for school districts across the country

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