Motive Energy has completed its solar and electric vehicle (EV) charging project at Samueli Academy, a public charter school and program of the Orangewood Foundation.
The Santa Ana, California, project, which is a part of Motive Energy's strategy to help non-profits achieve their energy independence with economically viable solutions, was completed on schedule to offer immediate benefits without disrupting the school's operations.
Motive Energy was responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of 590 kW of solar across 5 carports and 6 rooftops along with 4 Level II EV charger ports. The project was completed 64 days from mobilization with permission to operate 76 days from mobilization.
Samueli Academy will benefit from a 30-year fixed cost of energy and will receive $205,000 in first year savings, according to the developer’s calculations.
Bringing the Energy Evolution to Charter Schools
The structures will not only enable energy generation and vehicle charging but also provide shaded parking for faculty and staff, thus improving functionality and aesthetic appeal of the campus facilities. Motive Energy will maintain the solar panels and monitor the system from its Network Operation Center in Tustin, CA.
"This new initiative will lower our energy bills and carbon footprint,” said Anthony Saba, Executive Director at Samueli Academy. “Our students now see how the earth's natural resources can be transformed and substantially impact their lives, perfectly fitting within our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum and Project-based learning approach."
Two board members of the Orangewood Foundation started the Samueli Academy about 20 years ago. It educates more than 700 students, according to reports.
