On November of 2015, the Palos Verdes Unified School District(PVPUSD) entered an agreement with PMFG Solar to install solar energy systems at many of the school campuses. Located in Huntington Beach, PMFG Solar is the leading builder of solar for schools in Southern California.

It is estimated that this change would save approximately 5.4-6.7 Million dollars over the 25-year agreement, which would then be used for school services. The project is to install solar panels on sixteen different campuses in the district. Some campuses are not considered fit simply because of size or physical makeup.

The structures will be built on either parking lots or large open fields. The structures will provide shaded parking spaces for the community. Elevated panels in fields can also provide shaded areas for children to play.

These solar systems are designed to provide about 70% of the historical consumption of the sites where they are built. When sunlight hits the photovoltaic panels during the daytime, they are then converted into electrical energy that the school and district could use. However, the local community and schools will still be on the South California Edison grid, not interrupting the power in the neighborhood. The impact is expected to be miniscule or nonexistent.

The district hopes to keep disruptions to a minimum, scheduling construction time when they would be least intrusive. The PVPUSD has also devised a separate traffic flow plans for each of the campuses. Additionally, all structures have been approved by the DSA, or Division of State Architects. The structures will also be behind construction barriers for safety reasons.

The design and permit portion of this project has already begun and will continue until Spring 2016. There will also be board meetings held during this time. The actual construction is estimated to commence in Spring 2016 to Fall and Winter 2016. As for the construction order of the schools, it is still being decided on.

However, not all residents are satisfied with this newly scheduled implementation for various reasons.


<April Lee Palos Vardes High School 9th Grade>