Cupertino Union School District and OPTERRA Energy Services Celebrate Completion of District-Wide Sustainability Project

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cupertino Union School District (CUSD), in partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services, today announced the completion of a district-wide sustainability infrastructure project designed to strengthen energy resiliency, reduce the District’s carbon footprint, and expand educational opportunities for students.

The comprehensive program includes the installation of 5.2 megawatts of solar across District facilities, 72 level two electric vehicle charging stations, and two emergency backup generators located at the District Office and maintenance yard to support operational continuity during power outages.

“The District’s 2019/2020 Facilities Master Plan identified energy efficiency and sustainability as key priorities,” said Stacy Yao, Superintendent of Cupertino Union School District. “This project reflects our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship while also creating meaningful STEM learning opportunities tied to our energy project that help prepare students for the jobs of the future.”

In addition to its environmental and operational benefits, the project incorporates hands-on STEM education opportunities throughout the District. Students engage with clean energy and sustainability concepts through immersive learning experiences integrated into classroom curriculum and the District’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). The initiative is designed to connect real-world infrastructure improvements from the District energy project with educational programming that encourages exploration in science, technology, engineering, and sustainability fields.

The project was funded through a tax-exempt lease agreement and federal support provided through the Inflation Reduction Act. CUSD is expected to receive approximately $8.5 million in IRA funding, helping maximize the long-term value of the investment. The combined solar and EV charging infrastructure is projected to generate more than $36 million in net lifetime savings for the District.

“This project demonstrates Cupertino’s leadership in sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and innovation,” said Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services. “By investing in clean energy infrastructure and student engagement opportunities, the District is creating a more resilient and forward-thinking learning environment for students, staff, and the broader community. We’re proud to partner with CUSD on this important initiative.”

About Cupertino Union School District

In 1917, the four original one-room school districts in Cupertino - San Antonio, Lincoln, Doyle, and Collins - consolidated into what is today the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD). More than a century later, CUSD now comprises of 17 elementary schools, one K-8 school, and five middle schools which serve families across six Bay Area cities including Cupertino and portions of Sunnyvale, San Jose, Saratoga, Los Altos, and Santa Clara.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, CUSD consistently ranks amongst the top performing elementary (TK-8th) school districts in California. The District employs approximately 1,390 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff and serves a highly diverse student population of approximately 13,500 that encompasses more than 20 nationalities and 45 languages.

The District's Strategic Plan focuses on relevant and rigorous instruction, personalized learning, and a whole-child approach to preparing students for success. CUSD is proud of its outstanding academic programs, highly-qualified teachers, and strong parent support.

About OPTERRA Energy Services

OPTERRA Energy Services, an LS Power company, is a national energy company headquartered in Oakland, California, and employs nearly 300 energy professionals across the U.S. The company provides comprehensive energy and infrastructure solutions to municipalities, K-16 education, special districts, and state and federal agencies. To date, OPTERRA has helped customers achieve more than $3 billion dollars in guaranteed energy cost savings. For more information, visit www.opterraenergy.com.