Success Stories
We hope that the success of the HELiOS model for the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) is the first of many such stories. If you adopt the HELiOS model for your school, please tell us about your experience and we’ll let others know about your success. Watch a short video about the successful Washington Elementary project. You can also download the video (wmv, 5.8MB) from our online library.
KyotoUSA approached BUSD in 2006 and described to the District a model for the installation of a renewable energy system that would eliminate Washington Elementary’s annual electricity bill without adding to the District’s operating costs. We believed that our model could be applied in any District where a solar rebate was available. To convince the District to take a serious look at our proposal, we worked with local residents and city staff who had backgrounds in finance, energy, and renewables to show that a 100 kW photovoltaic system – combined with modest energy efficiency improvements and heightened school community conservation measures – could produce all the electricity the school needed.
Once we determined the size and cost of the PV system and the savings to the District, we calculated that we needed $25,000 to donate to the District to cover the difference between the electricity savings and the cost to repay the loan for the purchase of the PV system. This is the “magic” that makes the project financially viable and engages residents from all corners of the city. We were amazed to see how quickly local residents responded to our request for support. In a matter of just a few weeks we had raised the money we needed to make the project affordable.
One of the truly amazing outcomes is that we didn’t use the donations to make the project happen. School officials realized that Washington Elementary was eligible for State modernization funds which paid for 60% of the cost of the project. The District’s 40% match was made by using the utility rebate and a modest contribution from an existing construction bond. In the end, Washington Elementary got a brand new insulated roof and a 103 kW PV system for a relatively modest investment. This project was a real "barn-raising" effort that brought together city officials, University and school district staff, the school board, PTA members, school children, volunteers from the solar industry and financial sector, and the broader community to promote, develop and refine the project. We’re very proud of all those who pitched in to make the project a rousing success!
The system was fully installed and operating in September 2008. The PV system’s output can be monitored at the Fat Spaniel website.
Washington Elementary's solar system is now showing on You Tube! You can get a great in-depth look at the PV system and how it works.
Go to YouTube to watch:
Click here for Part One
Click here for Part Two
