REDWOOD CITY, CA — San Mateo County Office of Education and Peninsula Clean Energy officials gathered to celebrate a new solar photovoltaic system at the County Office that will produce 13 million kilowatt-hours of emission-free power and save taxpayers more than $1.5 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.
The system’s rooftop and carport panels have the capacity of producing about 400 kilowatts, which on optimal days is enough to generate power in excess of the building’s total demand.
“Sustainability is a core practice of the County Office of Education, and this new solar array is a shining example of our commitment,” said San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Marco Chávez. “Not only are we saving taxpayer money while reducing our greenhouse emissions, but we also aim to inspire and support school districts across San Mateo County as they do the same.”
The project is the second largest in Peninsula Clean Energy’s GovPV program, which enables solar and battery storage installations at public facilities through innovative partnerships that lead to reduced energy costs, cleaner energy and backup power.
“Through this partnership between the County Office of Education and PCE, we are creating a roadmap for how all public buildings – especially our schools – can achieve a zero-carbon future,” said San Bruno Councilmember Marty Medina, who chairs Peninsula Clean Energy’s Board of Directors.
“This project reflects what’s possible when local communities lead on climate solutions,” said Redwood City Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos, who is also a member of Peninsula Clean Energy’s Board of Directors. “Schools are at the heart of our communities, and when we invest in clean energy for schools, we invest directly in students’ futures.”
The solar generation system is part of a broader sustainability partnership between the County Office and PCE that also includes the Green Building and EV Collaborative, a career and technical education program that supports the next generation of electricians, heat pump installers and electric vehicle technicians.
The County Office and PCE also partner on a School Decarbonization Program to convert schools to all-electric power, as well as Environmental Literacy Programs designed to educate the next generation of energy consumers and environmental leaders.
“This solar installation is a powerful proof of concept in our mission to make clean energy seamless and cost-effective for public agencies,” Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Shawn Marshall said. “It also deepens our partnership with the County Office of Education, which continues to serve as a beacon of sustainability leadership in our community.”
In 17 San Mateo County jurisdictions and the City of Los Banos, PCE’s GovPV program is slated to complete 36 solar installations by June 2026. These projects are projected to save local agencies an estimated $30 million over a 20-year term.
In addition to solar energy systems, Peninsula Clean Energy is working on integrating battery storage at up to 19 of the sites. Battery storage paired with solar in this way can support resiliency at public facilities providing access to clean power during outages and reducing strain on the grid.
By providing the construction capital, Peninsula Clean Energy was among the first to leverage “direct pay” benefits established by the federal Inflation Reduction Act. This allows tax-exempt entities to claim the full federal Investment Tax Credit without the need for a third-party tax equity partner. This federal incentive results in lower electricity prices for the participating municipalities.
Featured project sites include:
- Daly City Bayshore Community Center
- Menlo Park Library
- Millbrae City Hall
- Los Banos Wastewater Treatment Plant
- San Bruno Aquatic Center
- Atherton Town Hall
- San Mateo County’s Wellness Center in South San Francisco (new building)
- Additional sites are in Brisbane, Colma, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco and Woodside.
About San Mateo County Office of Education
The San Mateo County Office of Education is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, receives excellence and equity in education. The County Office of Education supports 84,000 students across 23 local school districts by providing services that can be done more efficiently and economically at the County level. These include instructional and technical support, instruction for students with significant disabilities and those in the juvenile court system, and development of the education workforce. A leader in environmental literacy, the County Office of Education delivers innovative, high-impact lessons that empower students to address real-world sustainability challenges. Through the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities, which reflects a broad collaboration of community partners, the County Office of Education provides safe and supportive school services that benefit students, families, and the broader community.
About Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation agency. It is the official electricity provider for the communities of San Mateo County and Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the agency serves a population of 810,000 by providing more than 3,600 gigawatt hours annually of electricity that is 50 percent renewable, 100 percent clean and at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Follow us at PenCleanEnergy.com, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
