Three elementary schools and two middle schools in southernCalifornia’s Huntington Beach School District will soon receive aportion of their energy via solar power. In total, the school district has partnered with Chevron Solutions to install a 618-kilowatt (kW) system that is expected to account forone-third of the district’s total yearly energy consumption. ChevronEnergy Solutions, which has designed and engineered thesystem, will operate, maintain and guarantee the system’s performance.It’s expected to be up and operating in 2011, though a specific date has not been announced.

Over the 15-year agreement, the up-front cost of installation ispredicted to more than pay for itself, as it will save the schooldistrict over $15 million in electricity purchases throughout thatperiod.

Solar generation is only the tip of the iceberg for the schooldistrict, as Chevron is bringing a full slate of energy efficiencyimprovements to the table. Among them are lighting, ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems that will all contribute energy andmonetary savings in the coming years.

Huntington Beach District Breaks Ground on Solar Installation in California