Arizona's Buckeye Union High School District Dedicates 4.29-Megawatt Solar Generation Project

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http://www.marketwatch.com/story/arizonas-buckeye-union-high-school-district-dedicates-429-megawatt-solar-generation-project-from-constellation-energy-2012-01-31

Constellation Energy CEG -0.40% and the Buckeye Union High School District, today announced the completion of an aggregate 4.29-megawatt (DC) solar generation project. Baltimore-based Constellation Energy's retail business owns and will maintain the solar power systems. In return, the school district will purchase and receive all of the electricity generated by the solar panels at a fixed rate from Constellation Energy under a 25-year solar services agreement.

Located at three sites -- Buckeye Union High School and Youngker High School in Buckeye, Ariz. and Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Ariz. -- the installations collectively generate enough electricity to power the three high schools, meeting up to 70 percent of the school district's electricity needs.

The installations, which were developed by GV Enterprises and REgeneration Finance and built by CORE Construction, were facilitated, in part, by the Arizona Corporation Commission-approved APS Renewable Energy Incentive Program. This program offers financial incentives, covering up to 40 percent of the installation costs, to customers who add renewable energy systems to their homes or businesses.

In honor of the solar project completion, a celebration and ribbon-cutting were held today at Buckeye Union High School. Students as well as representatives from Buckeye Union High School District, Constellation Energy, APS, GV Enterprises, REgeneration Finance, CORE Construction and elected officials were on hand for the event, including Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck.

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