The Chula Vista Elementary School District has completed a $32 million solar project with a microgrid system in partnership with ENGIE North America.
With the addition of the latest system, the District has 8.1 MW of solar across 48 sites. The microgrid system is situated at the Education Service and Support Center.
The battery storage system of this microgrid will ensure sufficient electric supply during the peak period between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm when the electricity rates are very high. This means, the District will not have to pull electricity from SDG&E’s electrical grid during this peak period.
The system, which was funded through a G.O. Bond, is expected to save the District more than $70 million in net electricity costs over the next 25 years.
“That is $70 million in savings even after project costs have been paid for,” said Oscar Esquivel, Deputy Superintendent. “By the end of this project, we think we will be able to generate about 90 percent of the District’s overall energy demands. That is a tremendous amount of energy—and savings for our District. This is a ‘green’ project both environmentally and fiscally.”
The solar installation comprises 18,050 panels as shade structure at 46 schools, the Transportation Yard and the Education Service and Support Center.
“Our ENGIE North America team is proud to deliver customized solar and microgrid solutions to customers like Chula Vista Elementary School District,” said Stefaan Sercu, Managing Director Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “In addition to this technology serving as a critical resource during potential power outages, the bigger picture impact of the District’s move toward sustainable energy ensures long-term financial savings and resiliency.”
