Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) and SunPower are celebrating the completion of a 705-kilowatt solar power system at Redwood High School in Larkspur, Calif. As a result of the system, the district calculates it may reduce electricity costs at the high school by approximately 80 percent, which could result in an estimated $252,000 annual savings.

At the site, high efficiency solar panels are installed atop a parking canopy structure, enabling the system to provide emission-free solar power for the school district as well as needed shade in the parking areas. The solar carports include electric vehicle charging stations to serve four vehicles.

"Tamalpais Union High School District is reducing its environmental impact through the use of renewable energy. The solar power system is also delivering savings we can use to enhance our educational programs," said TUHSD Governing Board Trustee Bob Walter.

"The completed parking canopies are maximizing the amount of solar power we are generating on site. It has been great for our students to watch the construction of this system that will produce electricity directly from sunlight."

"Tamalpais Unified High School District can rely on its SunPower solar systems to deliver exceptional value for the next 25 years," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units.

"SunPower has proven experience working with 21 California school districts to deliver innovative solar solutions. It is extremely rewarding to enable our public schools to generate their own sustainable, clean power, inspiring teachers and students with the great power and potential of the sun."

The system is anticipated to offset the production of 822 metric tons of greenhouse gases each year, which is equivalent to eliminating 4,325 cars from the roads over the next 25 years, according to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.