Pleasanton Unified School District received a $25,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Solar Schools grant that would introduce solar energy education district-wide. The grant would support energy coaches–with the help of non-profit training partner National Energy Education Development Project–to inform staff and students about how solar energy works and how it’s used efficiently.
This is the second PG&E Solar Schools grant to come to the district, the first funded a demonstration-sized solar electric generator installed in August at Walnut Grove Elementary School. Walnut Grove Principal Bill Radulovich has been very active in the quest to have a solar school.
That goal continues to gain large ground with the recent partnership between the District and Honeywell International Inc. The diversified technology and manufacturing company will fund the production and installation of solar panels on top of seven schools in the district. The completed project has an estimated cost of $6 million, but comes at no cost to the District.
“We’ve looked at where we have the greatest capacity and have identified seven schools that will easily take solar panels without throwing up eye sores,” Radulovich said.
These panels will create 650 kilowatts of power. And though the energy is not directly available to the schools, the district will be able to purchase it at discounted rates. Those rates aren’t final, but Radulovich says with increased efficiency and solar power the latest grant provides, he would love to see the district’s current energy costs of $2 million eventually be reduced by 50 percent.
“Local schools face unprecedented financial challenges,” said Ophelia Basgal, PG&E vice president of civic partnership and community involvement. “PG&E’s Solar Schools program helps address that gap by bringing together classroom education and renewable energy in a way that will benefit students and the community for years to come.” In 2006, PG&E has committed $1.7 million towards expanding the Solar Schools program.
No dates have been set for the panel installation and plans have yet to be finalized, but Radulovich is hopeful that the project will begin within the next few months.
