Straight from the sun [Brawley High School]
source: Heather Bremner IV Press Online 2004.4.15

Residents here soon may embrace, rather than complain, about the Valley's excessive sunlight once they learn that fiery orb will provide all the energy for the Palmer Performing Arts Center.

This week workers began installing solar panels on the roof of the Brawley Union High School auditorium.

The sun-soaked panels will supplement the electrical system in place at Palmer.

Tom DuBose, president of the Brawley Union High School District board, suggested the cost-saving measure because Brawley Beef uses some solar energy, said BUHSD Superintendent Garth Isom.

Funded by the Imperial Irrigation District, IID Division 5 Director Rudy Maldonado said the grant for the "photovoltaic project" will total $160,000 once the paperwork is finalized. IID granted the Brawley district $60,000 in 2002 and an additional $100,000 in 2003 for the project.

The funding pays for the solar panel installation and educational programs designed to teach students how solar energy functions.

BUHSD also put a portion of the grants toward the installation of a weather station on top of the science building.
Originally, the district was planning to use $200,000 to fund the project - $100,000 from IID and matching funds from the California Energy Commission, but the commission dropped its end of the bargain.

Maldonado said solar-generated energy is "more cost-effective," especially in the sun-drenched Valley.

Holtville High School received $30,000 from IID and already has used the funds to install solar panels on its science building roof. IID drew the money from its public benefits pot, which is tacked onto every energy bill and totals about $6 million.

"The money is there. We just need to get more participation on behalf of the districts for people to participate in this," said Maldonado.

Isom, who's retiring in June, said he hopes the district continues to expand its solar energy use. When the district began working with the Rahus Institute, the Martinez-based non-profit company in charge of the educational element of the project, Isom said Tor Allen, the company's president, was surprised solar energy isn't more popular locally.

"It's not used as widely in the Valley as he thinks it could because of our weather," said Isom.

Isom hopes the Palmer project will provide a launching pad for the district, and it looks like that already may be happening - at least on a small scale.

Plans are in play to install solar panels on a home Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program students are set to begin building this summer. Although the home will be the guinea pig of the project - the panels will likely supply energy for the home's hot water heater, washing machine and dryer - Isom said ROP students will use solar energy in the home they build next year.

Isom said he regrets not installing solar panels on the new gym, particularly since it cost the district $5,000 to cool the place when it first opened, a cost that has gone down since. Large venues such as the gym, cafeteria and auditorium are the costliest to cool because they cover such an expansive area.
Even in the winter, when teachers can turn off air conditioners in classrooms, the large crowds in the gym and auditorium make AC a necessity even when it's cool outside, said Isom.

In the Valley, where cooling a home, school or business is necessary at least seven months a year, solar energy is an appealing, cost-saving move. Schools looking to cut corners, especially in the wake of budget cuts, could save thousands of dollars with solar energy.
Essentially a one-time cost, after installation solar energy is free unless a household exceeds the amount of energy it produces.
In that case the residents are required to pay the utility for the extra energy.

Developers are building homes throughout California that are completely reliant on solar panels, said Allen. Since the panels don't have any moving parts, the likelihood of the panels breaking is low, but like anything, they're not flawless. Dust and dirt, bird droppings, even too much sunlight can cause problems.

"You might think that the hotter they get the better they perform, but efficiency drops off if it gets too hot," Allen said. "Here in this area you have so much sunshine but you also have the extreme heat."
To combat the extreme heat, Allen said, companies place the panels in positions or places that encourage natural ventilation.

Independent Energy Solutions, the San Marcos-based company installing the system, guarantees it for 25 years.

Allen said residents can drastically reduce their energy costs by "weatherizing" or improving the insulation of their homes and buying more efficient appliances. Then consider a solar electric system.

The district will have a dedication ceremony at 1:30 p.m. April 23 in Palmer.

Photographs of the solar panels will be placed in the library, hall, auditorium and offices to remind "everybody that the projects up there and it's working," said Isom.

Also, in celebration of Earth Day, which officially falls on April 22 but is celebrated throughout the week, the Rahus Institute will host a Solar Olympics Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the Imperial Valley Expo.

Note: The Brawley system one of the first California Schools to be monitored in realtime and posted to the internet.. Data viewing, and comparison with other schools, will be accessible via the solar schoolhouse website in the near future. [est. August 2004]
: