ForeFront Power, BCSD ink 2.3 MW Solar Energy Deal

This latest deal builds upon an existing 1.7 MW of capacity across five BCSD schools installed in 2017, and this expansion will save the District approximately USD 4 million over 20 years, it added.

Renewable energy company ForeFront Power has expanded its solar energy partnership with Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) for 2.3 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic capacity installation across 10 schools.

“Bakersfield City School District selects ForeFront Power to expand solar across 10 sites in 2.3-megawatt deal through SPURR,” said ForeFront Power in a release.

This latest deal builds upon an existing 1.7 MW of capacity across five BCSD schools installed in 2017, and this expansion will save the District approximately USD 4 million over 20 years, it added.

BCSD utilized an innovative purchasing framework through the School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR) that allows public agencies in California to “piggy-back” a competitive Request for Proposal process for solar energy.

“Our staff appreciates the size and purchasing power that SPURR leveraged in their RFP process to offer deals that are attractive and keep the price down,” said Steve McClain, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services at BCSD. “ForeFront Power’s team has also been fantastic by running in overdrive to ensure that paperwork and documentation were completed on time for utility deadlines.”

ForeFront Power’s development team is the only solar and energy storage developer to win SPURR’s REAP Program. Since 2015, the SPURR REAP program and the ForeFront Power team have helped school districts procure more than 40 MW of clean solar power across more than 60 sites.

“ForeFront Power is excited to continue our partnership with Bakersfield City School District to maximize energy savings,” said Chief Executive Officer, Rafael Dobrzynski. “BCSD has a goal to increase energy sustainability and we are thrilled to continue supporting them in this effort.”