San Dieguito Union High School District Sports Solar Panels Over Carport

The new raised structures over the parking places of La Costa Canyon High School and Canyon Crest Academy of San Dieguito Union High School District may not only sport a new elegant look, but are there to allow the school to use clean solar energy in a few months time.

The megawatt solar panels systems installed over the carports of the school has over 850 solar panels to generate enough power to meet nearly 70% power requirement of the schools. The school district has paid for the system costing around $13 million from the low interest building funding it received from the stimulus financing from the state. The school district is planning to repay the money in a period of 17 years from various savings and reduced power bill amounting to $500,000 a year. The school district instead of going for a power purchase agreement has opted to own the system due to various flexibilities it offered. The school district commenced the construction of the project in 2007 and received funding through their association with a private business.

Russell Thornton, executive director of operations in the school district, said that the school was chosen because of their large sized parking lots. He added that the district will find for places in other schools for its future solar installations.