District Launches Solar Expansion, Projected to Save $21 Million Over 25 Years
District Launches Solar Expansion, Projected to Save $21 Million Over 25 Years
In a step towards sustainability and cost savings, the Redwood City School District (RCSD) Board of Trustees has approved the second phase of the district’s solar energy project. The School Board gave the green light for the expansion during its November 6 meeting, building on the success of Phase 1 and positioning RCSD as a leader in both environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility.
The total cost of the Phase 2 solar project is estimated at $15.26 million, funded through the district's Measure T bond program.
Over the next 25 years, RCSD expects to save $21.1 million in energy costs, significantly offsetting the project’s investment and allowing the district to redirect funds toward educational programs. First-year savings alone are projected to be around $762,000.
Additionally, the district will receive a $3.88 million reimbursement from the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This financial support will further reduce the overall project costs, ensuring that the district benefits both environmentally and economically.
Solar panels will be installed at Garfield, Henry Ford, Hoover, Kennedy, Orion Alternative, Roy Cloud, and Taft schools as well as the MIT and North Star campus and the district’s facility at 3150 Granger Way. All installations will use canopy structures, which provide shaded areas while generating clean energy for the facilities. The move into Phase 2 follows the successful completion of Phase 1, during which solar panels were installed at four different facilities across the district--Adelante Selby, Clifford, and Roosevelt schools as well as the District Office.
Solar Panels Installed at Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School During Phase I
The solar systems will operate using net metering, allowing the district to send excess electricity back to the grid. This will lower the district’s reliance on traditional energy sources and reduce utility bills, particularly during peak school hours when energy usage is highest.
Construction is set to begin September 2025.