Fresno Unified School District’s solar project complete
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – On Wednesday Fresno Unified and ForeFront Power completed a solar project that is expected to save the district over 40 million dollars.
Community members came together at Hoover High School to celebrate the completion and ribbon cutting of the large solar project.
“Super excited to see the completion of what has basically been a 7 year in the planning project which is designed to provide green energy in the city of Fresno,” said Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson.
The project is expected to save the district millions of dollars for years to come.
“Over the lifetime of the system which is about 20 years it’s going to save the district about 40 million dollars which go directly back to support kids in classrooms,” said Nelson.
ForeFront Power is a leading developer in industrial-scale solar energy projects.
The 17.5 megawatts district-wide solar energy and storage portfolio includes 40 different projects with solar canopies and energy storage across 31 district sites in Fresno County.
Through a power purchase agreement, ForeFront Power provided all of the upfront costs of the projects, and the district didn’t have to use any bond funds.
“Additionally the district gets to become a leader in sustainability and also provide a renewable energy-related curriculum to its students through these projects operating and serving as living labs,” said Nate Smith-Ide, who is the Senior Manager of ForeFront Power.
The project also serves as a lab where students can see renewable energy in action.
“The way that it works mechanically pretty much is that the sun hits the solar panels just like it would at your home if you have a solar installation on your roof and then the energy is converted and then flows through the wires at the school,” said Smith-Ide.
The solar projects produce energy that is sold to the district at rates that are lower than what PG&E charges.
As utility rates continue to go up Nelson says this project allows them to have a fix cost, while also prioritizing the right things instead of worrying about utility costs.
Nelson says the solar panels also serve other uses that benefit the community.
“It’s a green energy solution, this is the equivalent of taking 36 hundred cars off the road annually, and also it provides shade in all of our parking lots across the city,” said Nelson.
