Savings From The Sun

Energy efficiency comes to those who plan. Napa Valley Unified School District has been doing just that for years – starting with lighting, heating ventilation and air systems and even pool equipment. In 2014, the district was ready to take the next step to save more energy and money throughout the district and install photovoltaic (PV) systems on three campuses – Napa Education Center, Vintage High School and Napa High School.



The district applied to the California Energy Commission for $3.5 million in funding from Proposition 39, an initiative California voters approved in 2012 that closed a tax loophole and had rewarded businesses for moving jobs out of state. Now those tax dollars are being invested in our children, our schools and our environment.

Napa Valley Unified estimates an energy savings of nearly $500,000 per year. According to a 2014 Napa Valley Register article, installing solar at the three schools will provide 89 percent of the district’s annual electricity used at those sites, reducing the school district’s annual bill from $539,501 to $58,129. In addition to saving money, the photovoltaic conversion is estimated to spare 542 metric tons of greenhouse gas emission.

To see the list of approved energy expenditure plans by district, visit the Energy Commission’s Proposition 39 webpage and click on Energy Expenditure Plan list.