Site Specific Solar Questions

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Birch Lane Elementary
  1. Can solar panels be placed over the parking lot?
    Installing solar arrays in parking lots is one of the leading placement options. However, the site Facilities Master Plan, tree removal requirements, aesthetic considerations, and anticipation of future parking lot reconfiguration must be taken into consideration.

  2. Will trees have to be removed to add solar arrays as shade structures?
    Trees may need to be removed for the installation of some arrays. The importance of trees to the community and District has been a focus when determining the initial array locations. The project will ultimately fund the replacement of any trees removed.

  3. Why can’t the solar arrays be added to the top of our new MPR?
    The roof footprint of the new MPR facilities does not provide a sufficient installation area and would not offset the target energy usage at BLE. Additionally, procurements, funding mechanisms, and schedules for the two projects do not align, making coordination more difficult and costly.

  4. How much playground space will be lost with installation of solar shade structures?
    The intent of placing shade structures adjacent to or over black top is to provide shaded areas for students to play or gather. The minimum height of the structures is 10 feet and allows for continued use of the area underneath. The support columns, spaced roughly 30 feet from one another, are the only structures that will impede activity under the arrays.

  5. Can any of the buildings at Birch Lane sustain solar arrays on rooftops?
    Solar on public school rooftops proves to be a difficult installation method due to state building codes at school sites. The required attachments often create long-term maintenance issues, and the structural improvements are often cost prohibitive. However, there are some cases where roof structures work well at schools and those have been included in this project at several sites.

  6. Will the basketball hoops that are lost due to solar shade structure installation be replaced?
    Yes, any basketball hoops lost due to solar shade structure installation will be replaced.

  7. Can the solar arrays be placed in different locations (i.e. over the lunch tables by the new MPR or bike racks)?
    Final placement of the arrays will be determined by implementation costs, site administrator input, and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when identifying the final locations.
César Chávez Elementary
  1. Can the solar arrays be placed over the staff parking lot?
    Installing solar arrays in parking lots is one of the leading placement options. However, the site Facilities Master Plan, tree removal requirements, aesthetic considerations, and anticipation of future parking lot reconfiguration must be taken into consideration.

  2. Can the solar arrays be placed in different locations (i.e. over the snack/eating area, over the bike racks, south side portables, etc.)?
    Final placement of the arrays will be determined by implementation costs, site administrator input, and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when identifying the final locations.

  3. Can the solar arrays be placed atop the new MPR?
    The roof footprint of the new MPR facilities does not provide a sufficient installation area and would not offset the target energy usage at CCE. Additionally, procurements, funding mechanisms, and schedules for the two projects do not align, making coordination more difficult and costly.

  4. Is there any other placement option that will not require the removal of trees?
    Trees may need to be removed for the installation of some arrays. The importance of trees to the community and District has been a focus when determining the initial array locations. The project will ultimately fund the replacement of any trees removed.

  5. Can solar arrays be placed over the new MPR as a freestanding structure?
    This would likely be cost prohibitive.
Montgomery Elementary
  1. Can solar arrays be placed over or next to the lunch tables?
    Final placement of the arrays will be guided by implementation costs, site administrator input, and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when determining the final locations.
North Davis Elementary
  1. Can the shade structures be placed over the blacktop in the center of the yard or the play structure?
    Final placement of the arrays will be guided by implementation costs, site administrator input and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when determining the final locations.
Patwin Elementary
  1. Can the solar arrays be placed in different locations (i.e. over the snack area, over the bike racks, behind the portables)?
    Final placement of the arrays will be determined by implementation costs, site administrator input, and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when determining the final locations.

  2. Can you cut trees down and place solar arrays over the parking lot?
    Installing solar arrays in parking lots is one of the leading placement options. However, the site Facilities Master Plan, tree removal requirements, aesthetic considerations, and anticipation of future parking lot reconfiguration must be taken into consideration.

  3. Can DJUSD offset 100% of energy instead of 80%?
    The target production is set to balance financial benefits and fluctuating energy use load. DJUSD can install solar to offset 100% use at the risk of over-purchasing solar capacity. Additionally, some sites are physically constrained and there is not room to achieve 100% offset of energy, reducing the District-wide average.

  4. Can DJUSD provide a comparison between using a SPPA versus DJUSD-owned arrays?
    The PPA funding mechanism is being prioritized because DJUSD does not have the funding to finance the project at this time.

  5. As a shade structure on the blacktop, will the solar arrays be damaged by balls or other playground equipment hitting them?
    The ball types generally used at an Elementary site do not pose a major threat to the panel integrity. If panels do get damaged, DJUSD will replace them through the planned accompanying maintenance plan.

  6. What is the height of the solar array shade structures?
    The minimum height at the low end of the shade structures will be 10 feet. The high side is typically 14-15 feet high.
Pioneer Elementary
  1. Can the play structure be moved and the solar panels placed above it?
    Final placement of the arrays will be determined by implementation costs, site administrator input and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when identifying the final locations.
Harper Junior High
  1. Can solar panels be placed in the parking lot instead?
    Final placement of the arrays will be determined by implementation costs, site administrator and staff input as well as community feedback. The location shown in this iteration of the proposed plan is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when identifying the final locations.

  2. Harper already has solar panels. What are the additional panels going to be used for?
    The original system design does not offset the target energy usage. The additional capacity is intended to do so in a way that maximizes financial savings and reduces carbons.

  3. Can the panels be placed on the blacktop closer to the gym and closer to main student activity?
    Final placement of the arrays will be determined by implementation costs, site administrator input, and community feedback. The location shown is an initial attempt to balance those considerations. Additional community feedback will be gathered and included when identifying the final locations.