New solar project will help Merced-area high schools save on energy bills. Here’s how

To the sound of applause and cheers, Merced Union High School District officials on Wednesday “flipped the switch” on an ambitious solar project that’s expected to help the district save on its energy bill.

The ceremony was held at El Capitan High, but the project consists of solar panels in the parking lots of every district school site.

The project was completed by multinational energy company ENGIE in late 2019 and started powering the district’s schools in early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Because of COVID, however, the celebration of the project’s completion was delayed. “The switch actually flipped right around January or February of 2020,” said Ralph Calderon, deputy superintendent of human resources and district operations. “That’s when we started producing solar power.”

According to officials, the solar installation system will create an estimated seven megawatts of solar power for the district, supplying 90% of its energy supply. Officials say the district will pay a fixed rate for energy expenses for the next 28 years, potentially saving up to $2 million over that period of time. .

“This solar project relieves the uncertainty of potential future energy rate hikes,” said Calderon. “Thanks to the partnership with ENGIE, our rates won’t change.”

Both district officials and representatives of the company touted new educational opportunities for career and technical education for students as a result of the solar project.

Those opportunities are still in the works, but district officials said they’re pushing forward with a plan to train students about work in the solar power industry.

“That’s been the plan,” said Calderon. “We went live with this in 2020 and then we were out of school because of COVID. There hasn’t been a chance to put anything into place.”

However, district administrators and representatives of the company are planning to work together to develop a plan to present a solar educational program to MUHSD students.

“Really this event is about you,” said Courtney Jenkins, vice president and general manager at ENGIE Services U.S, referring to students.

“It’s about the district’s mission of inspiring and creating pathways to fulfilling educational promises. The educational aspect of this partnership is one I’m extremely proud of and I know will set the mission and vision for the future of the district.”

The company paid for the cost of the project construction itself. The district pays $199,000 a month for energy costs, Calderon said, about $2.5 million a year across nine schools and other district facilities.

“With minimal out-of-pocket costs for the district, we were able to have this built by the company,” Calderon said. “All the construction costs were theirs, and they gave us a rate, and that’s not going to change for the next 28 years. It’s a win-win.”