05/28/2024
Hamilton City, CA - The Hamilton Unified School District (Hamilton USD) will celebrate a milestone in its infrastructure modernization project, unveiling brand new solar panels at Hamilton Elementary School (277 Capay Avenue, Hamilton City, CA, 95951) on May 28. District leaders welcome the community to “flip the switch” on the solar shade structures with festivities beginning at 1 p.m.
“HUSD is very excited to have partnered with Climatec in working towards an overall energy efficient school district,” said Superintendent Jeremy Powell “We have already begun to see significant savings in our monthly energy bills but more importantly, with our partnership, we added lights throughout the District for increased safety and updated our stadium lights to allow for more “under the lights” activities! As energy prices continue to soar, HUSD is in a great position to not be impacted by these cost increases.”
The new solar structure supplies Hamilton Elementary School with renewable energy and provides students with a shaded outdoor learning and dining area. These spaces have enhanced student comfort, creating a new place to spend time outdoors while studying or enjoying lunch in the shade when the temperatures rise.
The panels are one part in a much larger, comprehensive Infrastructure Modernization and Utility Savings Program that also includes another solar shade structure at the High School/District Office Complex at 620 Canal Street, which went online late last year. That project also included new LED stadium lights at the football field and pathway lighting at Hamilton High School. Additionally, the program included districtwide HVAC modernizations as well as new LED lighting, occupancy sensor and building automation systems that now communicate, automatically regulating to match classroom lighting and temperature needs. The District has also implemented smart irrigation control systems at Ella Barkley High, Hamilton High and Hamilton Elementary. The upgrades help the District improve comfort and safety conditions in learning environments for students and teachers to enjoy, while also conserving precious resources, like energy, water and District funds.
These upgrades save the District over 524,000 kWh in annual electric consumption, which is equivalent to removing 73 cars off the road, powering 52 homes, preserving 10,490 trees or saving 39,647 gallons of gas annually. Over the lifetime of the infrastructure, savings will exceed $6.7 million, freeing resources for other types of improvements.
“As a graduate from both Hamilton Elementary School and Hamilton Union High School, and now sitting on the Board of Hamilton Unified School District, it is an extraordinary day to witness the ‘Flip the Switch’ unveiling event,” said Board President Wendell Lower. “As a 6th grader, circa 1977, we studied the first efforts of solar energy. We prepared science projects to enter into the Glenn County Science Fair. Years and decades have passed as well as many county science fairs, and now a renewable and sustainable energy source has been added to our infrastructure. I like to think that some of our own have contributed to the science and engineering that has made possible this upgrade. What are the results of these improvements, every dollar saved is a dollar that goes toward individual students and their learning experience here at Hamilton Unified. It’s a win-win.”
“We view this program as more than an investment in our infrastructure. This is an investment in our students and in our community,” added Board President Hubert “Wendell” Lower. “These comprehensive improvements across District locations are creating a more comfortable and safe learning environment for our students, allowing them to thrive in and out of the classroom.”
The upcoming May 28 event is open to the public. The District looks forward to celebrating with the Hamilton community.
About Hamilton Unified School District
Hamilton Unified School District is comprised of Ella Barkley High School, Hamilton Adult School, Hamilton High State Preschool, Hamilton High School, and Hamilton Elementary School. Hamilton USD aims to create a safe, rigorous, and engaging learning environment that promotes academic success and fosters a respectful and caring community.
