District to Offset More Than 80 Percent of Electricity Costs with Solar System

CLOVIS, Calif.--The Energy Alternatives Division of Cupertino Electric, Inc. today announced the completion of the first phase of a parking lot canopy and playground shade structure-based solar system for Clovis Unified School District spanning 21 sites and totaling 5.86 megawatts (MW). The first phase of the Clovis Unified solar photovoltaic system that is fully operational and generating power includes systems installed at Clovis Elementary School, Fugman Elementary School, Nelson Elementary School, Riverview Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School, where a community event was held Friday.

"The 21-site Clovis Unified School District project represents one of the largest school-based solar projects constructed by Cupertino Electric," said Don Hartman, project manager for Cupertino Electric. "Despite the challenges associated with safely and effectively installing multiple solar systems on facilities occupied by students and staff, we at Cupertino Electric welcome the challenge. Our ability to meet this first major milestone is a testament to the teamwork and community commitment that we are grateful to have on this project."

Clovis Unified Solar System Specifics

Designed and constructed by Cupertino Electric and managed by energy advisory firm TerraVerde Renewable Partners, the Clovis Unified School District solar system spans twenty-one sites and is the largest school solar project in California's Central Valley. Constructed in four phases, the 5.9 MW Clovis Unified solar system is anticipated to save the District $2.4 million annually when complete in December 2013 by generating roughly 8.4 million kilowatt-hours a year.

Each school in the Clovis Unified School District involved with the solar initiative will feature solar panels mounted on either parking lot canopies or playground shade structures. The solar systems in the District scheduled to come online next include those located at Clovis West High School, Fancher Creek Elementary School, Ft. Washington Elementary School, Pinedale Elementary School, Weldon Elementary School and a district professional development building. For a full list of schools and phases, visit the District's website.

About Cupertino Electric, Inc.

Cupertino Electric, Inc. is a private company headquartered in San Jose, Calif. that has provided expert engineering and construction services for a constantly evolving world for more than 59 years. Cupertino designs and installs custom electrical solutions for clients in a variety of industries, including alternative energy, biotech, commercial, data center, education, energy infrastructure, gaming, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and retail. The company's Energy Alternatives Division engineers, procures, constructs and maintains renewable energy solutions. For more information, visit www.cei.com.