Solar power system expected to meet more than 60 percent of the
District's electricity needs
Constellation,
a subsidiary of Exelon
Corporation and a leading competitive retail energy supplier, and Amphitheater
Public Schools (the District) today announced the start of
construction of a 9.4-megawatt (DC) solar
generation project in Tucson, Ariz. The solar power system, located
across 24 school sites and support facilities, is expected to generate
more than 60 percent of the District’s electricity needs in the first
year of operation.
“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 requires no upfront capital from the District. Constellation
will own and operate 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 for the District
over the term of the agreement, according to the District.
The project will offer 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 reduce
their energy costs and educate their students about the benefits of
renewable energy,” said Brendon Quinlivan, director of origination,
distributed energy, for Constellation. “Structuring solar projects as
solar service agreements provides energy solutions that may require no
upfront capital from customers and provide long-term fixed power costs
that are less than projected market rates.”
The solar power system is expected to be completed in mid-2016 and will
be comprised of approximately 29,000 photovoltaic panels located on
carports, shade canopies and rooftops across 24 locations. The system is
expected to generate approximately 16.5 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
16,830 tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent emissions from 3,543
passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. EPA data for the region.
Natural
Power and Energy, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based commercial solar
developer serving companies, schools and government institutions, led
the pre-construction development efforts for the solar power system.
"By drastically 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 Rob Dallal, CEO of
Natural Power and Energy.
Constellation currently owns and operates more than 300 megawatts of
distributed generation that have been completed or are under
construction for commercial and government customers throughout the
United States, including more than 250 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 more than 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 2014
revenues of approximately $27.4 billion, and more than 32,000 megawatts
of owned capacity comprising one of the nation's cleanest and
lowest-cost power generation fleets. Learn more at http://www.constellation.com/pages/default.aspx
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 leading commercial solar development,
design and construction firm serving schools, governmental, non-profit
and corporate clients with financing, design and installation services
for medium and large-scale solar systems. Learn more at www.naturalpowerandenergy.com.
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