Cupertino Electric Completes 1MW Multi-Campus Solar System for Petaluma School District

System to help decrease energy costs in order to increase student-related spending

March 1, 2011

The Energy Alternatives Division of San Jose, Calif.-based Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) recently announced the completion of a 1MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at multiple campuses of Petaluma Joint High School District, Petaluma, Calif. The system comprises two smaller systems mounted on parking lot canopies at Casa Grande High School and Petaluma High School.

“The completion of our new, two-campus solar system designed and built by Cupertino Electric will enable us to decrease our energy costs and increase our student-related spending,” says Steve Bolman, deputy superintendent for business services for Petaluma City Schools.

Construction of the 1MW solar system began in the fall of 2010 and resulted in a 675kW PV system at Casa Grande High School and a 385kW system at Petaluma High School. The solar project’s installation and financing contracts were overseen by TerraVerde Renewable Partners (TVRP), which is also providing a grant to the district to educate teachers on how to integrate solar concepts into the their math, science, construction, and drafting curricula.