Solar power system expected to meet more than 60 percent of the
District’s electricity needs
TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Constellation,
a subsidiary of Exelon
People are also reading…
Corporation and a leading competitive retail energy supplier, and Amphitheater
Public Schools (the district) today announced the completion of a
9.3-megawatt (DC) solar
generation project in Tucson, Ariz. The solar power systems, located
across 25 school sites and support facilities, are expected to generate
more than 60 percent of the District’s electricity needs in the first
year of operation.
In honor of the solar project completion, a celebration and
ribbon-cutting were held today at Richard B. Wilson K-8 School.
Representatives from the district, Constellation, Natural Power and
Energy and CORE Construction attended the event.
“We are excited about the significant cost-savings and meaningful
educational opportunities this solar power system will bring,” said
James Burns, executive manager of operational support, Amphitheater
Public Schools. “In addition, it will provide much needed shade in play
areas and allow the district to demonstrate the viability of clean
energy resources to our students, faculty and community.”
The project required no upfront capital from the district. Constellation
owns and operates the solar power system. The district will purchase the
electricity generated by the solar panels from Constellation under a
25-year solar services agreement. The project will result in an expected
savings of $11 million to $23 million in energy costs over the term of
the agreement, according to the district.
The project offers real-time data monitoring capabilities that will be
integrated into the school curriculum to help students learn how solar
electricity works and about the benefits of renewable energy. Students
will be able to observe how solar energy is powering their schools, and
be introduced to potential careers in science, technology, engineering
and math (STEM) fields.
“Constellation is pleased to help Amphitheater Public Schools manage
their energy costs and educate their students about the benefits of
renewable energy,” said Brendon Quinlivan, executive director of
distributed energy origination for Constellation. “Constellation
welcomes Amphitheater Public Schools to the growing list of K-12 school
customers that have adopted Constellation’s solar energy solutions
programs. Since 2012, we’ve helped 150 schools install over 55 megawatts
of solar generation in the greater Tucson and Phoenix communities.”
The solar power systems are comprised of approximately 29,000
photovoltaic panels located on carports, shade canopies and rooftops
across 25 locations. The systems are expected to generate approximately
16.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year. Generating
the same amount of electricity using nonrenewable sources would result
in the release of approximately 11,519 tons of carbon dioxide, or the
equivalent emissions from 2,433 passenger vehicles annually, according
to U.S. EPA data for the region.
Power and Energy, an Arizona-based commercial solar developer
serving companies, schools and government institutions, led the
pre-construction development efforts for the solar power system. Natural
Power and Energy’s solar energy business was acquired by Urban Energy
Solutions, Inc. in November, 2016.
"By reducing energy costs over the term of the project the Amphitheater
School District can divert those funds to focus on what it does best,
which is providing education," said John Mitman, director of engineering
and development, for Natural Power and Energy.
Constellation currently owns and operates more than 400 megawatts of
distributed generation that have been completed or are under
construction for commercial and government customers throughout the
United States, including approximately 300 megawatts of solar
installations, and other forms of clean, on-site power supply such as
biomass and co-generation.
By structuring its solar
projects as power purchase agreements or solar services agreements,
Constellation offers solar installations that may require no upfront
capital from customers and may provide fixed power costs that are less
than projected market rates. Constellation commercial customers,
universities, college systems, hospitals and government agencies
interested in on-site
solar installations may contact Constellation at sustainable-solutions@constellation.com
or 1-877-427-2005.
About Constellation
Constellation is a leading competitive retail supplier of power, natural
gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the
continental United States. Constellation's family of retail businesses
serves approximately 2.5 million residential, public sector and business
customers, including more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100.
Baltimore-based Constellation is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation
(NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider, with 2015
revenues of approximately $34.5 billion, and more than 32,700 megawatts
of owned capacity comprising one of the nation's cleanest and
lowest-cost power generation fleets. Learn more at www.Constellation.com
or on Twitter at @ConstellationEG.
About Amphitheater Public Schools
Named for the five chains of mountains that surround the city of Tucson
like a “beautiful natural amphitheater,” Amphitheater Public Schools has
a long history of excellence dating back to 1893. Today, the District
consists of 20 campuses and nearly 14,000 students. Amphitheater Public
Schools offer a demanding and rigorous curriculum. Our educators focus
on ensuring students develop the skills necessary for success in higher
education as well as in today’s workplace, including creativity and
innovation, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Learn
more at www.amphi.com
or on Twitter at @AmphiSchools.
About Natural Power and Energy
Natural Power and Energy is a leader in the commercial solar
development, design and construction industry in Arizona, serving
schools, governmental, non-profit and corporate clients with financing,
design and installation services for medium and large-scale solar
systems. Natural Power and Energy’s solar business was acquired by Urban
Energy Solutions, Inc. in November 2016. Learn more at www.naturalpowerandenergy.com.
Contacts
Constellation
Christina Pratt, 410-470-9700