Ameresco has completed a solar energy portfolio that includes seven schools in California’s Orange Unified School District (OUSD).
Ameresco developed the rooftop solar PV systems and carport for the district, located on four elementary school campuses, one middle school campus and two high school campuses. As part of the power purchase agreement, Ameresco will own and maintain the solar energy systems, and OUSD will purchase the power generated by each system at a fixed rate for the next 25 years. This flat rate allows OUSD to capture energy savings, insulate them from any fluctuations in energy prices and guarantee savings. This initiative includes seven solar projects, five of which have already been completed. The remaining two secondary schools are expected to be energized by the end of 2025.
“Our strong and long-standing partnership with Ameresco will help us reduce energy costs and work toward our goal of optimizing efficiency throughout the district,” said Isela Vazquez, Sr. Executive Director, Facilities Development & Planning at Orange Unified School District. “By investing in resilient energy technology, we are investing in our district’s energy independence and ensuring we provide the best possible education to all of our students.”
OUSD serves approximately 25,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12 from Orange County, California, in the cities of Orange, Villa Park, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and unincorporated county areas. The solar project is part of the district’s ongoing efforts to improve efficiency throughout the district, including a focus on sustainability and reduced fuel consumption.
Ameresco started the initiative in 2019, when it declared that a total of eight projects would generate 2.1 MW of solar energy for OUSD.
“These initiatives highlight how schools can strengthen their energy resilience while reducing costs,” said Lou Maltezos, president of Central & Western USA, Canada Regions at Ameresco. “We are proud that our long-term partnership with the district is delivering meaningful results and look forward to building on this success together.”
News item from Ameresco
