Solar Energy at Franklin
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Did you know that Franklin Elementary benefits from solar energy?
Franklin's solar array covers about 30% of the school's energy needs!
In 2016, a new two-story building was built near Justin St. with a 96 kW photovoltaic array on its rooftop. The Justin St. building was designed to capture a maximum amount of daylight. This renewable system not only generates clean energy for the entire campus but also reduces the cooling load of the classrooms directly below. And we know how hot it can get in Southern California!
The building was designed with an energy management system (EMS) to monitor HVAC operation. Multiple solar tubes were also installed to increase the amount of natural lighting classrooms, which reduces the need for electrical powered lights. This building is technically considered “net zero” (ie. it creates as much energy as it uses) due to it being designed 3.8% better than Title 24 requirements!
In its first three years, Franklin's system saved over $66,000 in energy costs and reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 30.4%!
Before the installation of Franklin's photovoltaic rooftop system, average energy usage at the campus was approximately 312,004 kWh and 1,084 Therms per fiscal year in the baseline. In the 2018/19 fiscal year, the energy consumption was 216,048 kWh and 2011 therms!
Glendale Unified is working towards installing solar throughout the district. More clean, renewable energy means lower district energy costs, less stress on Glendale's energy grid, and fewer greenhouse emissions. That's a win for everyone!