SunPower Designing and Building High Efficiency Solar Power Systems for 16 Schools in Oakland Unified School District

SunPower Corp.

today announced that it is designing and building high efficiency SunPower solar power systems for 16 schools in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in Oakland, Calif. Once completed in 2014, the district estimates it will reduce electricity costs at those facilities by 46 percent. "Our contract with SunPower will enable Oakland Unified School District to maximize our use of clean renewable energy, dramatically reduce utility expenses, and use the savings to enhance academic programs," said OUSD Superintendent Dr. Gary Yee. "We will also have the opportunity to take advantage of linked learning initiatives such as the successful SunPower Solar Academy, which integrates real world work experience with rigorous academic programs to inspire students while preparing them for college and careers." SunPower is installing 3.6 megawatts of systems at the 16 schools, using SunPower solar panels, the most efficient and reliable panels on the market today. The systems include rooftop solar arrays and solar shade structures in school parking lots, which take advantage of underutilized space and provide needed shade. "Oakland Unified School District can rely on its SunPower solar systems to deliver guaranteed performance for the next 25 years