ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Solar, Inc., a leading solar energy company specializing in the development and financing of solar electric systems nationwide, today announced it has acquired a 7-megawatt (MW) portfolio of distributed generation (DG) solar projects for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District (LEUSD) in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Standard Solar will finance, own and operate all eight projects which are currently planned for phased development with all systems expected to be online in 2020. The projects were developed by Riverside, Calif., Lamb Energy, Inc. Stronghold Engineering Inc., an award-winning design and construction firm with years of expertise in the solar industry, will perform the installation of the projects.
The projects include a 3 MW ground-mount array at the West Riverside Landfill, a 75-acre capped landfill, for which the property has been leased from the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources (DWR). The landfill system will sell its electricity to Southern California Edison who will in turn issue bill credits to the power bills for 29 power meters of schools and buildings in LEUSD that are not suitable candidates for on-site solar.
The remaining projects will consist of 4 MW of solar canopies at seven schools in the LEUSD: Canyon Lake Middle School, David Brown Middle School, Lakeland Village School, Lakeside High School, Temescal Canyon High School, Terra Cotta Middle School and Ortega Continuation High School.
The uniqueness of these projects precipitated the formation of a joint power authority among the Unified School Districts of Riverside County, California. The organization, the Riverside County Public Agency Energy Alliance (RCPAEA), is headed by Dr. Gregory Bowers, Assistant Superintendent of the LEUSD and founding RCPAEA Executive Officer
“The RCPAEA will serve as an efficient means for its members to source renewable energy, a resource for the education of environmental matters including information, strategies and projects relating to energy conservation, energy-cost savings, clean and/or alternative energy generation and share best practices going forward,” said Bowers. “We are excited to launch our Alliance with these solar projects.”
LEUSD Superintendent, Dr. Doug Kimberly said, “We are excited to pioneer these innovative solar projects through the use of Standard Solar’s Power Purchase Agreement, enabling LEUSD to reduce its carbon footprint with a zero cost to district solution and enjoy the savings on the energy procurement for the next 25 years.”
“With the purchase of this eight-site project, Standard Solar is deepening its investment portfolio in California, which recently set another record with the most solar power ever flowing on the state’s main electric grid,” said Scott Wiater, Standard Solar President & CEO. “We continue to fund projects and have enjoyed an active year of acquiring multiple MW of solar assets. We are proud to help customers like LEUSD significantly drive down their electricity expenses through solar.”
“Developing these unique projects into a structure and form that worked to the benefit of all parties was the result of a team of industry experts working together to deliver cutting edge energy solutions,” said Scott Bailey, President, Lamb Energy Inc. “Standard Solar and Lamb Energy have worked arm and arm, tirelessly, to ensure its success. The County of Riverside and their team have always been supportive of our vision. Together, we will offset overhead costs of the school district that can now be utilized to provide educational resources to students in its territory, benefiting them for generations to come.”
The eight projects are expected to generate 12,179,760 kilowatt hours of energy, enough to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from 1,829 passenger vehicles driven for one year and the CO2 emissions from 1,502 homes’ electricity use for one year.
About Standard Solar
Standard Solar, Inc. is a leading solar energy company specializing in the development and financing of solar electric systems nationwide. Dedicated to making Distributed Generation (DG) solar more accessible to businesses, institutions, governments and utilities, the company is forging the path for clean, renewable energy development through turnkey solutions. With more than 100 megawatts installed, financed and maintained, Standard Solar is one of the most trusted and respected solar companies in the US. Owned by Énergir, a leading energy provider with more than $5.8 billion US in assets, Standard Solar operates nationally and is headquartered in Rockville, Md. For more information, please visit www.standardsolar.com.
About Lake Elsinore Unified School District
LEUSD, located in Southwest Riverside County, covers more than 144 square miles and operates 23 schools, as well as alternative education programs. The District serves approximately 21,087 TK-12 students from the cities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake and Wildomar, and several unincorporated Riverside County communities, including Lakeland Village and Horsethief Canyon. www.leusd.k12.ca.us/
About Lamb Energy, Inc.
Lamb Energy, Inc., leads the industry in mid- to large-scale storage and solar project development, project finance, product procurement, GSA energy products and services plus a complete turnkey EPC and O&M Services. www.lambenergy.com
About Stronghold Engineering, Inc.
Stronghold Engineering, Inc., a certified woman-owned/minority-owned corporation has provided clients with full-service construction support, including design build, engineering-procurement-construction (EPC), vertical, civil and high-voltage electrical construction for the last 26 years. The Stronghold team works internationally from its headquarters in Southern California. www.strongholdengineering.com
