Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) in Visalia, California has taken significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint by installing solar panels across several of its schools. This initiative not only promotes renewable energy, but also decreases the district’s reliance on fossil fuels. Visalia is situated in the San Joaquin Valley, and serves as the economic and governmental center of Tulare County, one of the most productive agricultural counties in the United States.
VUSD is one of the largest school districts in the region, serving over 27,000 students across 40 schools. The district is dedicated to providing quality education to its students while simultaneously implementing initiatives focused on reducing emissions, including decarbonization, corporate energy, corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs), and renewable energy.
The solar installations play a crucial role in their energy strategy and drastically reduce the district’s energy burden, as funding from the sale of renewable energy certificates (RECs) is used to cover the cost of increasing utility bills. This in turn allows the district to prioritize essential school services.
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CO-BENEFITS
Environmental:
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- The implementation of solar lessens the dependence on fossil fuels and mitigates the environmental impact of electricity production.
Economic:
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- Sales of the solar RECs allow VUSD to continue providing essential educational services without relying on the general budget to address financial pressures from rising utility rates.
Health:
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