Case Study-Brookside Elementary School

Ross Valley School District -Upper Brookside Elementary School

80 kW ground-mounted system

Location: 46 Green Valley Court, San Anselmo CA

System Peak Capacity: 80 kW

Project Status: Completed

PV Module Mfg: RWE Schott Panel

PV Module Number: ASE-265

Number of Panels: 297

Inverter Model Number: Satcon AE-100-60-PV-D

Number of Inverters: 1

Warranty: 5 Year Comprehensive on System, 25 Years on Solar modules, 5 Year Extended Warranty on Inverter

Background

The Ross Valley School District is an elementary/middle school district serving the central Marin communities of San Anselmo and Fairfax. The district includes four schools: Brookside Elementary School, Manor Elementary School, Wade Thomas School, and White Hill Middle School.

After careful research and analysis from the RVSD board, they authorized and approved three of the four schools as worthy photovoltaic (PV) candidates whereby most of their electrical energy needs will be supplied by the sun. Each of the three schools' installations were custom designed to meet their different needs and challenges.

The Ross Valley School District is one of the first K-12 school districts in California to incorporate Renewable Energy into its operations.

  Unlimited Energy's Role

This was an unusual ground-mounted system in which the solar array was constructed alongside a thirty-degree hillside behind the school campus. The construction of a hillside array presented challenges normally not found in ground-mounted installations. But with Unlimited Energy’s expertise, we were able to provide solutions to the engineering firm. Our plans were adopted and carried out making the project a success. This 80 kW PV system will provide approximately 80% of the school’s annual electrical usage and eventually pay for itself. This means more money in the classroom and less spent on escalating electric rates.