Taft Union High School District to Install Solar

1.3 megawatt (DC) system built by REC Solar expected to produce $6.2
million in savings over 25 years

TAFT, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Taft Union High School District will break ground this summer on a solar
project that will generate renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gases and
save millions of dollars.

The system will be designed and built by REC Solar, a leading provider
of commercial, public sector and utility-scale solar solutions. Sage
Renewable Energy Consulting, Inc., an independent energy consulting
firm, was retained by the district to help guide the vendor selection
process and ensure that district goals are met from design through
implementation.

The 1.3 megawatt system includes a 1.1 megawatt ground mount system
adjacent to Taft Union High School and a nearly 200-kilowatt carport in
the Buena Vista High School parking lot. Combined, the system will
contain about 3,750 individual solar panels with an annual production
capacity of 2,160,000 kilowatt hours. It will offset 76% of the energy
used at Taft Union High School and 97% of the energy at Buena Vista High
School. Over a 25-year period, the system is expected to save the
district $6.2 million and reduce carbon emissions by more than 35,000
metric tons.

As part of the project, REC Solar will be updating the PG&E service
sub-station for Taft Union High School.

“This project has a wide range of benefits for our schools,” said Blanca
Cavazos, superintendent at Taft Union High School District. “We are
saving millions on energy costs, providing shaded parking spots with the
carport and taking advantage of our frequent sunshine to power our
facilities with renewable energy.”

“We are excited to be producing nearly all the energy needed at Taft and
Buena Vista High Schools,” said Alan Russo, senior vice president of
Sales and Marketing at REC Solar. “The long-term savings can be
leveraged by the schools for other important investments over the next
25 years.”

About Taft Union High School District

The Taft
Union High School District has been in operation since 1911. The
Taft Union High School District operates one high school and one
continuation school that serve approximately 1,000 students on the west
side of Kern County and draws from five rural elementary school
districts – Elk Hills, Midway, McKittrick, Belridge, and Taft City
School Districts – covering an area of 362 square miles.

About REC Solar

REC Solar is a nationwide leader providing complete commercial, public
sector and utility-scale solar solutions. Incorporating experience from
more than 600 successful commercial solar installations over 20 years,
REC Solar tailors financing and technology solutions to immediately
deliver bottom line savings. REC Solar makes solar simple, working
seamlessly with customer operations to deliver clean energy for decades.
For more information, visit RECSolar.com
or call 844-732-7652.

About Sage Renewables

Sage Renewables is a professional services firm specializing in
renewable energy consulting and project development for public and
private clients. Sage is technology and vendor neutral, providing
unbiased expertise on project financing, appropriate technologies and
vendor selection. Services include: energy efficiency management;
renewable resource feasibility studies; due diligence; financial
modeling and funding; system modeling and design; vendor selection;
construction and commissioning oversight; asset management and Renewable
Energy Credit (REC) management. Sage’s experience extends across
renewable and energy efficiency technologies such as solar
photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal systems, fuel cells, ground
source heating/cooling, biomethane, and hydropower. For more
information, visit www.sagerenew.com.

Contacts

From REC Solar
Garrett Colburn, 805.296.2419
[email protected]
or
From
Taft Union High School District
Julie Gragg, 661.763.2330
[email protected]