The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District (YCJUSD) has successfully completed a $33 million district-wide energy modernization project through a partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services.
The upgrades not only drive the broader community forward economically, but improve campus infrastructure for students, staff, and faculty, as well.
The school district entered into a performance-based energy contract with OPTERRA in 2023. During that time, the company made significant upgrades to lighting systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and installed on-site solar panels.
YCJUSD completed the $33 million in critical infrastructure improvements across its campuses through grants and incentives, while also reducing energy consumption.
āThis project represents a major step forward for our District,ā said Cathy Bogh, President of the YCJUSD Board of Education, in a statement. āWe are proud to invest in modern, efficient, and sustainable facilities that directly benefit our students and staff, all while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. This partnership has allowed us to improve our schools for the current community of students and teachers, while planning responsibly for growth into the future.ā
Key components of the project include 3.1 megawatts (MW) of solar PV systems installed across 12 schools, LED interior and exterior lighting upgrades at 14 sites, transformer replacements to improve electrical reliability, and a 20-year operations and maintenance program.
The project is expected to deliver more than $42 million in net savings over 20 years. The school district will also be awarded more than $5 million through an Inflation Reduction Act grant to further maximize the value of its investment.
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