Solar Electric Schools Would Save PUSD Millions Annually

OPINION

Solar canopies can also provide shade for school fields, hardscapes, and other student areas, not just parking lots (Photo – ActiveSGV

Measure R funding is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for PUSD to realize solar-powered schools and healthier, more resilient campuses.

By Sam Berndt, Wes Reutimann, and Cynthia Cannady

Pasadena Unified School District is in the midst of developing a master plan for its Measure R Facilities Bond. With $850 million in unallocated funding, the stakes are high, especially as the District continues to face serious operating budget challenges.

At the same time, Pasadena Unified has a clear opportunity to eliminate over $5 million in annual utility costs by strategically investing a portion of its capital budget. The District currently spends about $4.4 million on electricity each year, $406,000 on methane gas (for space and water heating), and $1.2 million on water from Pasadena Water and Power. These costs are expected to rise significantly in the short term: Pasadena Water and Power is increasing electric rates by 22% over the next year, and Southern California Edison is expected to raise rates again. The cost of fueling the District’s gas-powered vehicle fleet has also risen substantially, with gasoline prices nearing $6 per gallon.

Fortunately, Pasadena Water and Power currently offers some of the most competitive incentives for solar and energy storage in California. As the largest landowner in Pasadena, PUSD has the potential to install enough solar generation to effectively zero out its utility bills.

In 2024, Polytechnic School took a step in this direction by installing a 238-kilowatt rooftop solar system on two of its gymnasiums. The project also incorporated heat pumps, fully electrifying the buildings and generating enough on-site power to achieve “net-zero” energy, meaning the buildings produce more than enough power to offset their annual electricity needs.

Pasadena Polytechnic students cut the ribbon on their new rooftop solar system (Photo – Polytechnic)

PUSD staff recently completed an initial study of carport solar and energy efficiency measures, including replacing old single-pane windows at historic campuses. However, the current approach leaves significant savings on the table. It does not account for the additional benefits of transitioning the District away from fossil fuel–powered buildings and vehicles, nor does it examine the feasibility of lower-cost rooftop solar installations, which can cost roughly half as much as solar carports. It also overlooks the potential to generate revenue for District operations by integrating public EV charging stations at campuses near major roads and highways.

In addition to cost savings, electrifying PUSD buildings and operations, and powering them with District-owned solar and storage, would provide multiple benefits, including:

• Healthier indoor air quality for students and staff
• Protection from volatile fossil fuel costs
• Greater resilience during emergencies and natural disasters
• Alignment with local, state, and international climate goals

Heat pumps, induction stoves, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and electric vans and pickup trucks are all readily available and are increasingly becoming standard in forward-thinking communities. Locally, districts such as El Monte Union High School District have already saved millions in utility costs by adopting clean, non-polluting technologies. El Monte installed heat pump HVAC and battery storage systems at three high schools—Arroyo, Rosemead, and South El Monte.

By starting the planning process now and taking advantage of free resources for public agencies such as SoCalREN, Pasadena Unified can develop a clean energy roadmap for the next 4.5 years. School districts across California—including San Diego, Carlsbad, and Oakland—have adopted resolutions toward this goal, recognizing the significant cost savings and health benefits associated with eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and imported electricity.

PUSD’s Facilities and Capital Projects Committee will consider a resolution to electrify and decarbonize the District on Tuesday, April 14. Committing to this path through a board resolution would help ensure that voter-approved bond funding modernizes school operations for the 21st century, protects public health, and places PUSD on a more financially sustainable path.

With potential savings exceeding $100 million over two decades, not including possible revenue from public EV charging, the opportunity is clear. Measure R can do more than repair and rebuild campuses; it can fundamentally reshape how they are powered, operated, and sustained for generations to come.

Sam Berndt is a climate data scientist and a Pasadena resident. Wes Reutimann is a PUSD parent and the Deputy Director of ActiveSGV. Cynthia Cannady is the Chair of the Pasadena 100 Coalition and a grandparent of three PUSD students.