On December 8, 2009, financing was approved by the Dixie School Board for every school in the District to implement solar photovoltaics (PV) atop their buildings, allowing for an 80% emission-free energy supply for the entire District by Summer 2010. The cost-neutral solar installation effort will be supplemented with the implementation of environmental education programs at each of the District’s schools; an endeavor headed by Strategic Energy Innovations.

The remaining 20% of energy not supplied by the PV installation is expected to be reduced through student efforts to raise energy awareness and participation in energy saving behaviors. The Go Solar initiative was started by students of Mary E. Silveira Elementary and carried out by a collection of partners including Strategic Energy Innovations, Marin Community Foundation, the Dixie School Board, Capital One/All Points Capital, the Marin Energy Management Team, Kenwood Energy, Jones Hall, and Northcross, Hill & Ach. The project is expected to realize an estimated savings of 91,087 kWh, or 144,216 pounds of CO2 each year.

To read more about the initiative see the full-text of the January 3rd Article from the Marin Independent Journal: Foundation Grant Helps Dixie District Achieve Solar Dreams