Gavilan College recently selected SunPower (NASDAQ:  SPWR) to deploy a fully integrated solar and storage project at its campus in Gilroy, Calif.A SunPower ® Helixâ„¢ Carport system totaling about 1.4 megawatts will be installed across two of the college's largest parking lots, enhanced by a 250-kilowatt (500 kilowatt-hour) energy storage solution from Stem, Inc. to help deliver significant demand charge savings. 

System construction is currently underway, with completion expected before the end of 2017. To help finance the project, Gavilan Joint Community College District secured U.S. Department of Treasury clean renewable energy bonds (CREBs) with a 1.05 percent interest rate after a federal tax credit, which allow public sector entities to fund renewable energy projects. The district will own the solar power system along with the associated renewable energy credits.

"Investing in cleaner energy while providing covered parking for our students with this solar carport system made complete sense for us," said Frederick E. Harris, Vice President of Administrative Services at Gavilan College. "Together with SunPower, we have designed a unique system that will offset approximately 75 percent of our electricity use on the Gilroy campus, include a storage system allowing us to avoid expensive utility demand charges, feature enhanced parking lot lighting, and incorporate up to 102 electric car charging stations in compliance with the California Green Building Code."

SunPower's complete carport solution features high-efficiency solar panels that maximize energy production, delivering 45 percent more electricity in the same amount of space over 25 years compared to conventional solar panels. They are also backed by an industry-leading power and product warranty, providing customer confidence over the life of the contract. Stem, Inc. will provide an AI-driven energy storage solution to help maximize the value of the solar project.

"We're especially excited about SunPower's 25-year Demand Assurance Guarantee that covers product performance, energy production, operation and maintenance," Harris continued. "Combined with system monitoring capabilities and innovative classroom curriculum that SunPower has developed, we'll have the ability to create valuable instructional opportunities for our students and community members."

SunPower has long been a trusted solar partner for colleges and schools in California given the company's extensive experience delivering innovative energy solutions to education customers. 

"We congratulate Gavilan College for taking control of energy costs with reliable solar and storage solutions from SunPower," said Nam Nguyen, SunPower executive vice president. "With more than 32 years of experience in solar, colleges across the country rely on SunPower to deliver leading renewable energy solutions that best fit their needs. We look forward to helping Gavilan Collegereduce energy costs over the long term, delivering more value over the system's useful life."

SunPower | www.sunpower.com

Stem | www.stem.com