The theme for eFair Pleasanton is "Flip That Switch," an allusion to energy conservation as well as a recent historic event. On January 23, 2008 a lever was pulled at a Pleasanton school, activating the first "solar school district" of scale in California.

eFair Pleasanton will offer much more than just hurrahs, however. It will be highly educational, with learning opportunities for all ages. The centerpiece of the fair will be student-operated exhibits. These exhibitors will teach both young and old how to reduce their carbon footprint and, in many cases, to save money at the same time. They will also showcase Pleasanton's nationally acclaimed environmental education practices.

eFair will feature dozens of exhibits that highlight the corporate, government, non-profit and education partners that helped Pleasanton to write this page in California history. Major corporate partners include Honeywell and SPG Solar who worked together to install a 600 kW photovoltaic system that is linked to seven school sites.

The system, which generates enough electricity to illuminate nearly 1000 classrooms, is the product of an innovative agreement between Honeywell Corporation, PUSD and PG and E, another key partner. This agreement, which is perhaps even more significant than the solar arrays themselves, is called a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). PUSD and Honeywell have developed a PPA that has the potential to redefine the concept of "utility company." Key features of this are:

- PUSD gets "green power" at below current utility rates from Honeywell;

- No capital outlay for the school district;

- Fixed electricity rates for 20 years.

Pleasanton will save over $125,000 per year on utility costs, money that will be redirected into the instructional program. Most important, this is a highly replicable model, one that paves the way for future sustainable endeavors.

While saving money and improving the environment are factors that drive the concept of eFair Pleasanton, education is at the heart of the event. In the words of California Energy Commission Chair, Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, "These are great accomplishments by themselves (solar and PPA), but Pleasanton has taken the additional step of promoting a 'green' culture and educating its students about energy in the classroom.

The district is a wonderful model for others." Recently, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), the planet's largest commercial real estate service, entered into a partnership with PUSD to help further the replication of the "Pleasanton model."

Those attending eFair will learn how Pleasanton schools reach out across the planet to promote green practices. Attendees will be treated to a drum and dance performance (audience participation optional) by representatives of our "adopted community" in Liberia, Africa. We invite all members of the community to join us on Wednesday, April 23, from 6pm-8pm at the Hart Middle School Gymnasium in Pleasanton.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
SPG Solar
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com