Schools getting a solar jolt (San Diego)

[jpak]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/09/schools-getting-solar-jolt/

About a quarter of San Diego city public schools will generate electricity with solar power under an initiative that would vastly expand the school district’s green energy.

Some 23,000 solar panels will be attached to 80 rooftops throughout the San Diego Unified School District, with installation expected to begin this fall. The number of campuses and facilities to rely on the sun for energy will go from 28 to 48 in a program that has the potential to save the district between $13 million and $20 million against its energy costs over the life of a 22-year contract.

The school board approved a contract with Solana Beach-based AMSOLAR last week to build 5.2 megawatts of solar power.

The district will buy $35 million worth of solar-generated electricity from the company in lieu of purchasing it from San Diego Gas and Electric. The district expects to save more than $300,000 in energy costs during the first year of the project.

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