Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) is celebrating the completion of high efficiency SunPower solar power systems on 20 of its school campuses on February 4th. The District estimates that the solar power systems will save the District an estimated $39 million over the next 30 years, offsetting the district's electricity demand from the utility grid by approximately 69 percent.

"Going solar makes sense today and for future generations," said AUSD Superintendent Donald Gill, Ed.D. "These SunPower systems will maximize our use of clean, renewable energy and reduce utility expenses. We look forward to using the future savings to enhance the quality of the programs we offer our students."

SunPower Corp. installed a total of 5.2 megawatts of solar power systems at the 20 schools, using SunPower solar panels, the most efficient and reliable panels on the market today. The systems primarily include rooftop solar arrays and solar shade structures in school parking lots, which take advantage of underutilized space and provide much needed shade.

"Antioch Unified School District can rely on its SunPower solar systems to deliver guaranteed energy performance over the long term," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. "SunPower works with school districts across California to reduce operating costs and repurpose the savings to the classroom. It is extremely rewarding to partner with our public schools to deliver needed savings, while inspiring teachers and students with the great power and potential of the sun."

According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the AUSD solar power systems will avoid production of almost 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is the equivalent of removing 22,260 cars from California's roads over the next 30 years.