From the ground, they look like just about any other parking stall, shady and unassuming. But stand underneath and look up and you'll notice something different, a web of panels worth millions.
"What we are excited about is being able to be on the for front and be on the cutting edge," said Clovis Unified Spokesman Kelly Avants.
Twenty oneClovis Unified School 's will soon have solar panels like these at Clovis Elementary. It's all part of a 25 million dollar project paid for by measure A and is expected to save the district an estimated 2.5 million dollars per year in utility expenses.
"Anybody can see that payback overtime is really going to benefit those students," said Bob Boyd withFresno State .
Boyd helped spear headFresno State 's installation of similar solar technology in 2007. He credits it with cutting the school's energy costs and says the upfront expense is worth the long term benefit.
"Payback is under twenty years sometimes today even under twelve years which is tremendous because the benefit of those panels will last well over thirty years," said Boyd.
Clovis Unified hopes to have their panels paid for in just over ten years. The first round of schools will officially power up on Friday.
"What we are excited about is being able to be on the for front and be on the cutting edge," said Clovis Unified Spokesman Kelly Avants.
Twenty one
"Anybody can see that payback overtime is really going to benefit those students," said Bob Boyd with
Boyd helped spear head
"Payback is under twenty years sometimes today even under twelve years which is tremendous because the benefit of those panels will last well over thirty years," said Boyd.
Clovis Unified hopes to have their panels paid for in just over ten years. The first round of schools will officially power up on Friday.