Letting The Sunshine In

Two rows of solar panels got a warm welcome by local dignitaries Tuesday at Northgate High School.

The school's solar energy project was officially dedicated underneath the panels in the school's large main parking lot.

"This is something special and something meaningful happening in our district," said Kish Rajan, the Walnut Creek City Council member who served as master of ceremonies.

The panels are one of 51 solar projects in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, all overseen by SunPower of Richmond.

At Northgate High, there are 2,178 solar panels installed that produce a total capacity of 926 kilowatts.

Company officials said the district-wide system will save the schools $200 million in electricity costs over the 30-year life of the system.

Critics of solar programs have said the cost savings are exaggerated, but Superintendent Steven Lawrence told Patch the district brought in outside experts to evaluate company bids and used conservative numbers in their estimates.

He added the district has a 95 percent performance guarantee, which essentially means SunPower must pay the district money if the cost savings fall below 95 percent of annual estimates.

During the ceremony, there was nothing but praise for the panels. Speakers said the project not only saves money that can be put back into classrooms, it also teaches students about alternative energy.

"It sends a message of how we're supposed to live in the future," said Contra Costa County Supervisor Karen Mitchoff.

"This is truly a momentous occasion for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District," added district trustee Gary Eberhart.

SunPower officials said the school solar system is as simple as it gets.

"It's light in and power out," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president. "There's no water, no moving parts and no emissions."