Solar panels are installed in Costa student parking lot

By Jojo Hoffman  

Staff Writer

Over the summer, Chevron Energy Solutions installed solar panels in Mira Costa’s student parking lot and the Math/Sciences building’s rooftop as part of an integrated energy program to deliver long-lasting economic and environmental benefits.

 The Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s Board of Trustees had actually approved  the installation of solar panels back in 2012.  Proposed by Chevron Energy Solutions, the plan was intended to improve the energy efficiency and long-term budgetary savings within the school district.

  “The cost of the panels on the Math/Science Building and the Solar Carports was just over $2.2 million,” Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Mathews said.

  This investment at Mira Costa is part of a long-term goal to save money for the MBUSD so that it can continue to maintain a sound budget.  Through these additional savings, the district’s focus remains on maximizing student achievement and education and continuing development of the secondary schools.

  “Between the energy and natural gas cost savings that the District will realize, as well as the incentives that the District will receive for the energy projects, the savings to the district over time are projected to more than offset the cost,” Assistant Superintendent MBUSD Dr. Murakawa-Leopard said.

  The solar panels, along with the district’s other sanctioned energy projects, are being funded partially through California Clean Energy Jobs Act, a statewide program that allocates revenue to improve costs and environmental issues in public schools.  The rest of the funding comes from an 18-year loan taken out by MBUSD.  

  According to the proposal presented by Chevron Energy Solutions, the solar panels are going to cut electricity usage approximately by half which reduces 594 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

     Other initiatives from Chevron Energy Solutions’ proposal that have been completed or will be finished this school year, including LED lighting retrofits throughout the school district and a solar thermal heater and pool pump variable frequency drive for MCHS’s pool, will also improve energy efficiency and save money. 

  “We also have an ongoing energy education program which helps us to identify ways that we can reduce our energy consumption on an ongoing basis.  I am proud to be a part of a district that is so committed to responsible energy usage, both by reducing consumption and by increasing production”, Murakawa-Leopard said.