School solar array spells big savings

School solar array spells big savings
By Ryan Chalk/ RChalk@TheReporter.com
Posted: 12/11/2008 01:01:17 AM PST

After the fog had burned away, Dixon school officials celebrated a bright spot on the new Dixon High School campus this week -- the completion of a massive solar tracking array.

Community members, school officials and trustees celebrated briefly in the school's theater before ceremoniously "flipping the switch" on the project and extol its merit Tuesday. Representatives from SPG Solar and energy services provider Honeywell were on hand as well to talk about the project and tour the 4-acre solar farm.

"We are unique. This has been a part of the vision for a long time," said Dixon Unified School Board President Shana Levine.

Levine explained that Dixon Unified becomes one of just a handful of district's across the state to embrace solar energy. Dixon High School's solar project is expected to produce 80 percent of the school's energy needs and save the district $1 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

Bay Area-based SPG Solar constructed the 700-kilowatt solar array which consists of 93 large panels ground-mounted on two separate tracks which tilt as the angle of the sun changes throughout the day. Honeywell, which developed the project, will operate and maintain the panels.

The entire project came at no cost to the district, and under a power purchase agreement with Honeywell, the district will lock in fixed rates for the next 20 years at a lower cost than what the district is paying now.

In addition to the cost savings to the district, the solar farm will also serve as a learning tool for its students.

Dixon Unified School District Superintendent Roger Halberg explained that a kiosk will be built in the school's library where students can monitor the energy usage and what the system is producing. Beyond that, there are plans to create a Web site for the solar project from which instructors can guide.

Visits to the solar farm by the district's students will also be an important part of the project.

"This will be a place for our students to take field trips and a place to teach the kids the importance of energy conservation," said Levine.