Hesperia Unified School District Invests in Students’ Clean Energy Future with 5.7 Megawatts of SunPower Helix Carport Systems
Located in San Bernardino County, California, Hesperia Unified School District (HUSD) will soon have more than 5.7 megawatts of high-efficiency SunPower® Helix™ carport systems generating solar power for 29 of its sites. Construction of the carports is underway at 15 locations now, and SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) expects to complete all installations by the end of 2017.
“We’re thrilled about bringing clean energy to Hesperia Unified School District through SunPower’s world-leading solar technology,” said Dr. George Landon, HUSD assistant superintendent, business services. “The cost-effective solar power solution is a win-win for HUSD, improving overall district economics while demonstrating the value of a renewable energy future to our students.”
Within the first year of operation, the solar carports are expected to generate 10.4 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity which is equivalent to removing more than 1,500 cars from the road. On completion, SunPower estimates that approximately 60 percent of the district’s electricity will be provided by the SunPower Helix carport systems.
“We’re pleased to welcome HUSD to a growing number of school districts across the country that are seeing the economic and environmental value that reliable solar energy solutions from SunPower can generate,” said Nam Nguyen, SunPower senior vice president. “Our Helix™ systems are complete with comprehensive, powerful energy intelligence software that allows the District to identify demand peaks and savings opportunities.”
To finance the project, the District secured U.S. Department of Treasury clean renewable energy bonds (CREBs), which are available to entities primarily in the public sector to finance renewable energy projects. HUSD owns the solar power systems, along with the associated renewable energy credits.
A leader in delivering innovative energy solutions to schools, SunPower has installed more than 140 megawatts of solar in 32 California school districts. Attendees of this week’s 2017 Annual Conference and California School Business Expo in Long Beach hosted by California Association of School Business Officials can visit SunPower at booth 1014 to learn more about the benefits of solar for schools.
