Elementary School Gets Solar Power System

Grant Elementary School near Redding, CA (Northern California) recently had a 202-kilowatt solar power system installed. The system cost the school nothing, as they partnered with a solar power company who built the system in return for the school paying for the power. According to a report from BusinessWire, John Krinkel, Grant Elementary Superintendent said, “A PPA with Solar Power Partners meant that the school does not spend any cash to install, operate, or maintain the system, and we know that a portion of our electricity bill will remain stable.”

It is estimated the solar power system will reduce climate change emissions each year by sparing the equivalent of burning 23,510 gallons of gas. The new solar power system could save the school $600,000 over the course of the twenty year agreement with Solar Power Partners. Solar Power Partners helps schools, universities, businesses and other customers use solar technology to reduce their environmental impact. They fund and own the solar technology used by the institutions, and sell the electricity generated to them, so the institutions don’t have to spend their own money for design and construction. Currently they own about 45 systems which generate electricity for various organizations. Some of their other recent solar projects are at a wastewater district, the University of California at San Diego, Fresno Airport, and a school in Connecticut.

The solar installation at Grant was constructed by Spectrum Energy Development who have built similar systems in the Redding area. One was at West Valley High School where they constructed a 245 kilowatt system.

Grant school district has one school serving about 733 children from preschool up to eighth grade. It is located five miles south of Redding.

Note: the photo above is a Redding landmark, not the school’s solar power system.

Image Credit: DanDeluca

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Mary L.

11:42AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

How wonderful!

send a green star

Kristen H.

10:25AM PDT on Apr 26, 2012

That's great! Maybe they'll inspire local governments to do the same!

Jennifer C.

12:40AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Thanks for sharing.

12:39AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Thanks.

Linda M.

6:28PM PDT on Sep 18, 2010

love this! hope it catches on.

Green G.

8:36PM PDT on Sep 16, 2010

Made my day! Wish all schools would do this...

Chinmayee J.

2:51AM PDT on Sep 14, 2010

Glad to hear it :D More and more solar power companies are making these types of donations - keep up the good work!

Ruth R.

1:57PM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

This is super that some people had work that is meaningful. Now all we need is more of these kinds of paid work positions, in more places, one by individuals, tiny businesses, small businesses, and larger businesses, with the government possibly backing the start up of these paid work positions.

1:54PM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

This is great. Thank You for doing the solar that you did.
Please sign petitions on Create Blue Green Paid Work U.S. Fund, and solar and wind paid work. Thank You. The government can help the private sector get started.

Justin R.

7:00AM PDT on Aug 23, 2010

Excellent!

We all have to keep on pushing for solar energy; it is still in it's infant stage and surely the necessary hardware can be made smaller and cheaper. The delay is that the Big Old Boys have not yet found a way to charge for sunlight.