Canoga Park High School Goes Solar! School Celebrates Activation of a 273 Kilowatt Solar Panel System

February 8, 2011

Contact: Shannon Haber
213.703.6958 (cell)

(Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Tamar Galatzan joined students, parents, guardians, staff, elected officials, members of the community and special guests for a solar system installation event at Canoga Park High School on Friday, Feb. 4. The event celebrated the recent activation of a 273 kilowatt (kW), 896 panel solar panel system on the school’s rooftops. The new solar panel system is expected to save the School District $1.5 million over the next 20 years.

"Solar power is not only good for the environment, but one of the emerging worldwide industries,” Galatzan said. "I'm very proud that Canoga Park High School and LAUSD are leaders in the effort to install solar systems in our schools."

"Sustainable schools are the future of Los Angeles and I am so pleased that Canoga Park High School is the pioneer solar site for this project,” Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis P. Zine said. “I applaud LAUSD for their commitment to creating a healthy environment for their students while saving energy costs and reducing our carbon footprint.”

“This solar system is an exciting addition to all of the programs here at Canoga Park High School,” Local District 1 Superintendent Linda Del Cueto said. “As one of the first high schools in the District to have a solar panel installation, Canoga Park High School continues its tradition of being a leader in environmental leadership.”

In December 2009, LAUSD activated its first solar panel system, a one megawatt (MW) system at the District’s Pico Rivera warehouse. By December 2011, seven LAUSD school sites will have new solar systems installed: Ann Elementary School; Banning High School; Canoga Park High School; Cleveland High School; El Dorado Elementary School; Polytechnic High School; and the Roybal Learning Center.

Over the course of the next three years, LAUSD intends to install a total of nearly 17 MW, bringing the District’s total solar program to 21 MW. The electricity generated from these systems is expected to avoid approximately $112 million in utility costs over a 20-year period.

“LAUSD’s continuing commitment to renewable energy is realized through this project,” LAUSD Chief Facilities Executive James Sohn said. “This is an important step for the District to achieve its goal to install 21 MW in the next three years.”

“Since I have joined SunPower, I’ve seen a steady increase in our growth which translates to jobs,” SunPower Representative Ralph Boyd said. “This industry is a real benefit to the people.”

The solar system installation at Canoga Park High School is part of LAUSD’s current $19.5 billion New School Construction and Modernization Program. Its goal is to provide every student with the opportunity to attend a safe and healthy neighborhood school operating on a traditional, two-semester calendar. For more information, please visit: www.laschools.org.

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Contributed by Facilities News