Solar power projects could save the San Mateo Union High School District $600,000 a year, according to a plan floated by one member of the Board of Trustees.

The money would come from Measure M, a $298 million bond passed in 2006 that can only be used for facility upgrades and not for hiring new teachers, said Trustee Stephen Rogers. The solar project, however, could help the district avoid future layoffs with the smart implementation of the bond money, Rogers said.

Currently, the district pays more than $1 million a year on energy with utility costs typically increasing about 5 percent a year, Rogers said.

Rogers credits good bond money management by outgoing Superintendent David Miller and his staff. The district has come under budget on practically every one of its construction projects, Rogers said, freeing up money to go solar.

Fellow Trustee Dave Pine is also excited about the possibility of going solar.

“Making a capital expenditure to reduce your operating expenses is good sound business,” Pine said. “Operating dollars are hard to come by.”

The two agree, with the state being in financial crisis, that the district will be hit hard in the next two to three years in the budget process.

“About 90 percent of our money comes from property taxes,” Pine said, adding that its unlikely for the state’s economy to improve any time soon.

Language in the Measure M bond proposal lists energy conservation projects as one of its goals.

The $298 million bond passed in 2006 for facility improvements at the district’s various high schools.

The school district’s idea comes on the heels of the city of San Mateo being awarded a $900,000 federal stimulus grant to add solar panels to the Main Library, among other projects.

The new police station in San Mateo is also considered to be a environmentally sound building with a LEED Silver accreditation. Eventually, the city hopes to put solar panels on the roof of police headquarters to bring it up to a gold accreditation.

Both Pine and Rogers are encouraged by the Fremont Union High School District’s decision to include solar panels in its bond language. The Cupertino-based district started construction last month on a comprehensive solar installation.

Solar panels reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generally provide for long-term energy savings.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.