PHOENIX — REC Solar, a leader in solar system design and installation, has announced the completion of solar installations totaling 3.5 MW at 12 Arizona public schools. The systems, which were developed and installed by REC Solar, will provide enough power to reduce the schools’ electricity bills by up to 20 percent, said the company, while also offering educational opportunities for K-12 students.

REC Solar worked with the 12 Arizona schools to install solar energy with no upfront costs. The solar arrays will allow the schools to lock in lower electricity rates for the lifetime of the systems, expected at more than 20 years. Each of the schools will have educational kiosks that display data such as sun tracking, kilowatt-hours saved, and information about how much money the school is saving on its electric bill. Teachers can access the data and create lessons plans around how electricity is produced and used.

REC Solar developed systems at the following schools:

• Greenway Elementary School in Bisbee (117 kW)

• Lowell Primary School in Bisbee (158 kW)

• Bisbee High School in Bisbee (412 kW)

• Tombstone High School in Tombstone (301 kW)

• Meyer Elementary School in Tempe (133 kW)

• Copper Rim Elementary School in Globe (275 kW)

• High Desert Middle School in Globe (350 kW)

• Evergreen Elementary School in Casa Grande (309 kW)

• Mesquite Elementary School in Tucson (349 kW)

• Glassford Hills Middle School in Prescott Valley (349 kW)

• Coyote Springs Elementary School in Prescott Valley (349 kW)

• Granville Elementary School in Prescott Valley (349 kW)

“Solar is a cost-effective upgrade for schools nationwide,” said Cary Hayes, director of business development for REC Solar. “Solar electricity saves schools money on their electric bills, reduces budget pressures, and allows funds to be invested where schools need it most — classrooms and kids. We look forward to utilizing our industry expertise to bring solar to more educational facilities, from elementary schools to universities, in Arizona and beyond.”

For more information, visit www.recsolar.com.

Publication date: 4/8/2013