Energizing Pittsburg Unified School District

Stellar Energy, a leading engineering, procurement and construction firm in the renewable energy industry, and Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD) in Pittsburg, California, have signed an agreement to increase the district’s energy independence and save money with 3.1 megawatts of solar energy installed at 14 schools and facilities across the district.

Download the case study for Pittsburg Unified School District (pdf)

In June 2010, PUSD’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the large solar project, expected to generate an estimated 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of energy every year, enough to power over 500 average homes and offset the greenhouse gases from 572 motor vehicles. More importantly, the reduced energy costs from the project will result in nearly $1 million in budgetary savings in the first year of operations alone, the equivalent of more than 14 full-time teacher salaries. “We are very excited about greening our schools, reducing our energy purchases and putting more funds in classrooms,” said Enrique Palacios, the Associate Superintendent of PUSD.

Eco Friendly Energy Company, the original proponent of solar energy working with PUSD as far back as 2008, enlisted Stellar Energy to help create a win-win situation and gain approval for the project from PUSD’s board.

“By maximizing available space at each site, the solar energy systems will offset over 90% of the district’s current electricity costs and dramatically reduce net energy consumption,” said Matt Lugar, Vice President of Sales for Stellar Energy. “Over their minimum 30-year lifetime, we estimate that the systems will save the district more than $28 million and will offset the equivalent of 10 million gallons of gasoline.”

The systems will be energized by Yingli Solar panels, exclusively installed on state-of-the-art carport systems that minimize maintenance costs. According to Lugar, “Considering the extreme budget constraints facing California schools in current times, value and cost savings are key for PUSD.  Stellar only works with top tier component manufacturers that allow our solar power plants to deliver the lowest cost energy at the highest quality.”

KNN Public Finance played a key role in creating a financing structure that would allow PUSD to own the solar facilities themselves and take full advantage of the financial benefits and local incentives for solar energy systems.

Mr. Palacios of PUSD added: “This is a wonderful opportunity to do the right thing, cut costs, and provide a real world education to our students about practical and effective ways to save energy.”

Foothill School, the first PUSD site to tie a completed solar energy system to the grid and begin realizing savings, received Permission to Operate in October from PG&E, the local utility company servicing the area.  The remaining schools and facilities will follow suit throughout 2010 and 2011.

PUSD will be holding a dedication ceremony at Foothill School on Wednesday December 15, 2010 at 10:00am.

About Stellar Energy GP, Inc. 

Stellar Energy is one of the nation’s foremost solar energy integrators, with complete system design, engineering, procurement and construction management capabilities.  With installations spanning government, education and a wide variety of commercial and municipal customers, Stellar’s portfolio of successful projects makes the company one of the top ten solar installers in the nation.  Stellar is a subsidiary of Itochu International, Inc., a New York based global trading company.  For more information, please contact Gina Stocker by email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or by phone 707-992-3215, or visit the Stellar website at www.StellarEnergy.com.    

About Eco Friendly Energy Company

Eco Friendly Energy Company was established in 2008, and currently develops renewable energy projects for schools, government and commercial customers.  Part of Eco Friendly Energy Company’s mission is to create green jobs that stay here in the United States.  Visit their website at www.ecofriendlyenergyco.com. 

About KNN Public Finance

For more than twenty-five years, KNN Public Finance has been among the largest financial advisory firms in California, working exclusively to serve and protect the interests of public agency and non-profit clients on debt financings and other matters.  KNN financial advisors often lead the industry in developing and implementing innovative funding solutions for counties, cities, and school districts, and is proud to have assisted the Pittsburg Unified School District with this important project.  Visit KNN’s website at www.knninc.com.

About Pittsburg Unified School District 

The Pittsburg Unified School District is a K-12 district that serves the community of Pittsburg, California. The school system is committed to providing an excellent opportunity for all students to learn. Our district is approximately 50 minutes from Downtown San Francisco with a direct line on our Bay Area Transit System (BART). Our school community has a close relationship with Los Medanos Community College, which is located in the heart of Pittsburg. In addition, we have cooperative student teaching agreements with California State University East Bay and San Francisco State,UC Berkeley, JFK University, St. Mary’s College and Chapman College.

The school district serves over 9500 students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district has also been able to provide our community with an outstanding public preschool program and award-winning adult education school.

The district is comprised of:

• 8 elementary schools
• 2 middle schools
• 1 comprehensive high school
• 1 continuation high school
• Adult Education
• Independent study and alternative learning experiences
• Preschool Services

Our community values the quality of their school system and the opportunities provided to all children. We are thankful to our community that has supported our school district in the passage of our most recent bond measures. In the past three years, we have built three new schools.