Solar Project Coming Soon to a School Near You
As we let you know in June, the District is installing solar panels at all school sites—with work slated to begin October 23. We are excited for this opportunity to help preserve the environment by reducing our carbon footprint and, at the same time, realize a significant savings on our utility bill ($175,000 or more annually).
Why during the school year? This is a unique opportunity to garner significantly more savings on our utility bills as a result of grandfathering our current PG&E rate structure. The opportunity became available last spring and requires construction to be completed by the end of this calendar year (December 31). Realizing this created a very tight timeline, the school board spent the spring considering the opportunity and reviewing plans and approved the project in June.
The solar panels will be on shade structures and installed in school parking lots, except at Oak School where the structures will be installed on the play area blacktop due to limiting conditions in the parking lot. Construction will begin October 23rd and continue through December.
We certainly recognize that traffic and parking will be impacted on and around the school sites during construction. We are working with police and traffic control departments to mitigate the impacts on the school neighborhoods.
We have partnered with GreenTown Los Altos on plans to mitigate traffic. GreenTown is working with our schools on the design and implementation of programs to encourage walking, biking, or carpooling to school. Stay tuned for information from your school.
The drive-through lanes at each school will remain open during construction, as will handicap parking spaces.
No bond monies are being used to pay for this project.
We realize the construction work can create problems and inconveniences, but we firmly believe the outcome of the project and long-term positive impact will outweigh any short term disruptions. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
