Flip the Switch event celebrates clean energy upgrades
IMPERIAL VALLEY — Two schools participated in a Flip the Switch event on Thursday, September 17, helping to make the transition to cleaner energy sources at local school districts.
In partnership with Site LogicQ, Meadows Union School District and Westmorland Unified School District marked the celebration of their new solar energy project. District representatives, community members, project partners, and stakeholders gathered at their respective sites to celebrate the activation of the project.
The Flip the Switch event marks an important milestone in the solar energy project, which is designed to reduce long-term energy costs, improve budget predictability, modernize District facilities, and preserve resources for students and schools.
“This is a renewable energy and facilities modernization project,” said a Site LogicQ representative. “It’s primarily focused on solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging for the next generation of buses.”
“This project represents a comprehensive investment in the district’s facilities, creating new learning environments, improving campus facilities, and reducing operating costs, positioning the district for long-term sustainability. Through the district’s strategic financing partnerships, these improvements were delivered without compromising educational priorities or instruction time, while generating long-term value for the students, staff, and community,” said Nick Eddy, also an employee with Site LogicQ.
The improvements are projected to generate approximately $3+ million in net electric-bill savings over 30 years. The project also provides shaded areas for students, staff, parents, and visitors and includes EV charging infrastructure designed to support an electric bus fleet.
Meadows Union Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Beltran said, “So our electric buses are completely off the grid. We get the savings, and we get to reduce emissions, use less diesel, and all of the great savings. The second project was our paving project; we used to be on dirt roads, and now, luckily, we are reducing air emissions and improving air quality. Those were our two main projects.”
“We’re very proud to have this project come to fruition after three years and the support from the community, the IID, the Air Pollution Control District, and all of our partners. Thanks to them, we were awarded these grants to help make these improvements possible,” said Dr. Keila Rodriguez, Superintendent and Principal of the Meadows Union School District.