The Merced City School District unveiled its new solar project at a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 16 at Gracey Elementary School. TerraVerde Energy, an independent energy advisor that helps schools, public agencies and private companies reduce energy costs, planned, designed and ran a competitive procurement process resulting in the school district’s selection of NextEra Energy Resources and PCI Solar to build, own, and operate the solar facilities at several thoughtfully selected sites throughout the district. The arrays are located at Hoover Middle School, Ada Givens Elementary and the adjacent STEAM Center, Burbank Elementary, Chenoweth Elementary, Gracey Elementary, Muir Elementary, Peterson Elementary, Sheehy Elementary, Wright Elementary, and the MCSD Maintenance/Operations/Transportation facility. The new system was installed through the District entering into a Power Purchase Agreement with NextEra Energy Resources, as well as leveraging funding from the California Clean Energy Jobs Act (Prop. 39), and is projected to save the school district more than $7.9 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years.
MCSD Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Teresa Saldivar-Morse said, “We chose to engage TerraVerde for analysis and development of our solar project because they were able to look into the feasibility of doing complex projects at no upfront cost to us. There was no financial risk to the district, and they have refined a process specifically to meet the needs of public schools.”
MCSD Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Teresa Saldivar-Morse said, “We chose to engage TerraVerde for analysis and development of our solar project because they were able to look into the feasibility of doing complex projects at no upfront cost to us. There was no financial risk to the district, and they have refined a process specifically to meet the needs of public schools.”
The District engaged TerraVerde’s energy advisory services to ensure that it received competitive pricing on high-quality, integrated energy systems designed to address its goals. TerraVerde helped explore all options for energy cost reduction, minimize financial risk, and conserve staff resources. The project was constructed by PCI Solar, and MCSD serves as the solar host. By using a solar Power Purchase Agreement to acquire clean, affordable solar-generated power, the District is able to significantly reduce its overall electricity bill compared to current utility costs. The result is a solar installation that provides a hedge against future price increases and changes that are likely to come with the current utility rate reforms. Many of the solar arrays also provide shade around playground areas or additional lighting for parking lots. The solar array at the STEAM Center includes a weather station, which students will be able to monitor as a real-world part of their curriculum.
About Merced City School District: The Merced City School District serves nearly 12,000 students in preschool through eighth grade. It includes 14 elementary schools, four middle schools, and a state-of-the-art STEAM Center that opened in 2017 to provide a flexible space for modern, hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. The District is also one of the largest employers in Merced County with approximately 1200 dedicated staff members. For more information, please visit: www.mcsd.k12.ca.us.
About TerraVerde Energy: TerraVerde Energy, headquartered in Larkspur, California, is an independent energy advisor that helps schools, public agencies and private companies reduce energy costs. Selected as CASBO’s Strategic Alliance Partner: Energy Advisor, the firm provides school districts with comprehensive energy conservation, renewable energy and battery storage development services. For more information, please visit: www.tvrpllc.com.
About Merced City School District: The Merced City School District serves nearly 12,000 students in preschool through eighth grade. It includes 14 elementary schools, four middle schools, and a state-of-the-art STEAM Center that opened in 2017 to provide a flexible space for modern, hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. The District is also one of the largest employers in Merced County with approximately 1200 dedicated staff members. For more information, please visit: www.mcsd.k12.ca.us.
About TerraVerde Energy: TerraVerde Energy, headquartered in Larkspur, California, is an independent energy advisor that helps schools, public agencies and private companies reduce energy costs. Selected as CASBO’s Strategic Alliance Partner: Energy Advisor, the firm provides school districts with comprehensive energy conservation, renewable energy and battery storage development services. For more information, please visit: www.tvrpllc.com.
About PCI Solar: PCI Solar (www.pcisolar.com) is a national commercial solar installer, based in Austin, Texas. The company installs rooftop, ground mount, carport solar and energy storage systems for a range of commercial, institutional and utility customers. PCI Solar is part of Performance Contracting Group, a national specialty building contractor with over $1.4 billion in annual revenues. For further information, please call 888-846-8653 or visit https://pcisolar.com/contact/.
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