GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (3800.HK) (―GCL-Poly‖) announced that construction has begun on the solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the 20 schools in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD).
The 5 MW project at the SDUSD will consist of 23,000 PV panels to be installed on school rooftops and parking structures across 20 sites throughout the district and will provide approximately 64% energy offset for the sites and 11% offset of the overall district’s power needs. When finished in October, 2011, the PV system will be one of the largest school solar systems in California. GCL Solar Energy, Inc., a subsidiary of GCL-Poly, has partnered with leading solar developer AMSOLAR Corporation on this project.
The San Diego Unified School District serves nearly 132,000 students in pre-school through Grade 12. It is the second largest district in California, and eighth largest urban district in the United States. The student population is extremely diverse, representing more than 15 ethnic groups and over 60 languages and dialects. Since its founding on July 1, 1854, the district has grown from a small, rented school building with one teacher to its current state—more than 225 educational facilities with more than 15,800 employees. The district's educational facilities include 119 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, 30 high schools, 37 charter schools, and 15 atypical or alternative schools.