Schools

Today San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) marked over 1 megawatt of solar power they have installed in the region

High Tech High Chula Vista installed by HelioPower

at the grand opening of “green” charter school, High Tech High Chula Vista.

High Tech High Chula Vista and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) showcased how the sustainable design of the school itself will be used as a living classroom on renewable energy.   SDG&E owns the school’s rooftop solar panels, installed by HelioPower, which provide locally generated power to the school and the community. 

“This solar system marks a milestone for SDG&E, because, with its installation, we now have more than 1 megawatt of solar-generating capability on the rooftops of 10 highly energy-efficient commercial buildings throughout San Diego County,” said Hal D. Snyder, vice president of customer solutions for SDG&E.  “The project at High Tech High is the third largest solar system in Chula Vista and will support nearly two-thirds of the school’s own energy use.”

Dignitaries scheduled to speak at the grand opening include Colleen Green, Director, High Tech High; Cheryl Cox, Mayor, City of Chula Vista; Greg Cox, Supervisor, County of San Diego; Tyree Dillingham, Deputy Director, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger; Dave Geier, VP, SDG&E and Steve LoRusso, Vice President of Sales, HelioPower.

“We are very proud to have participated in the High Tech High solar electricity system with SDG&E,” said Steve LoRusso, vice president of sales for HelioPower. “SDG&E is a forward-thinking utility with a great commitment to green energy.  This project is a stand-out example of how solar photovoltaic technology fits into a larger, green building program.  In teaching students now about the benefits of renewable energy it also contributes to solar awareness in future generations.”

With 640 solar modules from Mitsubishi, the solar power system will produce 172,114 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year.  For more project specifications, click here.

StreetInsider.com - Hebrew Academy Partners with SharpUSA and HelioPower…
Sharp Electronics Corporation's Solar Energy Solutions Group, based near the school in Huntington Beach, and HelioPower worked together with the Hebrew Academy on the solar energy aspect of the school's Go Green program. A portion of the Karp Federation Challenge Grant and a generous private donation made the solar panels possible. The panels are situated on south facing roofs with over 98% efficiency. The Academy system includes 189 Sharp 167 watt photovoltaic panels and covers 8000 square feet at a cost of over $200,000. SMA inverters and a Web Box monitoring system are included, allowing online review of the system performance. The electricity generated returns to the main electric grid on the building. The system generated energy offsets the peak load electricity costs of the Academy. The solar electricity system emphasizes to the children and community the Go Green concept being taught in the science classrooms at the Academy.

The Hebrew Academy in Huntington Beach, CA has gone green…

“It’s a move to show students the importance of conserving energy, respect for the environment,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Newman, dean of the school which educates 350 students from preschool through twelfth grade. It’s a mitzvah to conserve resources, he said, and it helps illustrate the power of the sun’s rays."