Solar goes live at Aragon High School

Bade, now a student at Stanford University, was on hand to watch the system be "turned on” via a large prop switch. Officials from the San Mateo Union High School District were alongside state Superintendent of Instruction Tom Torlakson for the press conference which coincided with the release of the statewide Schools of the Future Report. The 89-page document outlines plans to support efforts to make schools sustainable, a statewide bond measure to offer seed money and greater opportunities for students to learn about emerging green technologies because of the on-site technology. For the district, it was a chance to show off part of a district-wide system which should save over $1 million annually.

For Bade, the day was something he wasn't sure would happen. It also emphasized the impact of a single idea.

"Individuals can make a difference,” he said. "If you work for a goal, you can make a change.”

Aragon's entire student body gathered in the middle of the San Mateo school Monday morning for the dual celebration. Aragon's 17,000 solar panels are expected to generate enough power to offset 64 percent of the energy needs at the district schools saving about $1.2 million in energy costs, said Jess Brown, director of energy solutions and service for Pacific Gas and Electric company, which worked with the district on the project. For San Mateo Union, it's the largest solar project to go online yet.

Torlakson called the project a great example of the changes needed in schools. Supporting solar can mean cutting down on electricity costs which free up money for other programs. Torlakson also sees the potential for education. By having the solar panels on site, students can learn about the process, the money saved and become ambassadors for similar programs.

"Our students deserve to learn in schools designed for the 21st century — not relics of the past,” he said. "California can lead the way, and help our schools save money and create good jobs in the process. The solar power system coming online today at Aragon High School shows that the time to create the schools of the future is now.”

In January 2010, the district board approved a $31.5 million solar project on all six districts funded through voter-approved bond money.

Installing solar panels piqued the interest of district officials since it could use voter-approved bond money to lower the annual electricity bill. Aside from this, the on-campus solar setup allowed for the development of curriculum based on the green technology. Aside from curbing rising electric costs, the district also planned to bank on rebates available over the first five years the panels are working, totaling up to $10 million in savings. Thus far, the district has spent about $19 million on the first phase, said Elizabeth McManus, deputy superintendent of business services. Those figures include improvements to the school roofs. Smaller solar panel projects are live at other San Mateo Union high school locations, said McManus. Construction has yet to start at Capuchino and San Mateo high schools.

Solar-inspired curriculum, however, is already being used in local classrooms, said Superintendent Scott Laurence. Those opportunities will grow as the district works with partners to train teachers and develop more class offerings.

These changes are all emphasized in Torlakson's report, which was put together by an advisory team co-chaired by Stephen Rogers, president of the San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees.

Rogers said he was happy to see positive changes in schools, not only locally but throughout the state.

Current state law allows districts to make only a little more than they need to cover energy costs. Torlakson is pushing a bill to allow districts to make a surplus that would be sold to energy providers to create new revenue.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by email: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.