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APS Unveils Electric Solar Panel Generation & Storage Project
The innovative green energy project at Atrisco Heritage Academy will save millions in utility costs at the state’s largest high school.
WHAT: Albuquerque Public Schools will unveil the Atrisco Heritage Academy High School photo-voltaic and battery storage project on Thursday, Aug. 18. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico will join APS Superintendent Scott Elder, Board of Education President Yolanda Montoya-Cordova, and others in learning more about the state’s largest public school clean energy project, showcasing the latest step toward the district’s ultimate goal of safe, energy-efficient facilities that conserve taxpayer resources while reducing our carbon footprint.
The project has a budget of $3.2 million. It is a joint initiative of Albuquerque Public Schools; Sandia National Laboratories; the U.S. Department of Energy; the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department; the Clean Energy States Alliance; and OE Solar, a local solar power design and construction company.
PROJECT SCOPE:
2,208 roof-mounted electricity-producing solar panels generating 850 Kilo-Watts of electric power
Tesla Megapack 2-energy storage system that has an electricity storage capacity of 2884 kWh
Annual clean electricity production of 1.3 Giga-Watts at Atrisco Heritage Academy High School
An estimated net savings of $3.5 million on the school’s electricity bill over 25 years
Preliminary design includes the possibility of future disconnection from the power grid, allowing the school to function as a regional neighborhood power shelter/resiliency hub.
@MartinHeinrich at new APS Battery Energy Storage System
Aug. 17, 2022
WHO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Scott Elder, APS Board of Education President Yolanda Montoya-Cordova, Atrisco Heritage Academy Principal Irene Cisneros, APS Capital Master Plan Executive Director Kizito Wijenje, APS Capital Construction Executive Director Karen Alarid, APS HVAC and Energy Project Manager Tony Sparks, project partners, and other distinguished guests
WHEN: 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18
WHERE: Atrisco Heritage Academy, 10800 Dennis Chavez Blvd. SW. Guests will access the project site by turning left off 118th St. onto the bus loop, then taking the first left turn and parking on the bus turnaround at the end of the loop (see attached map.)The presentation will take place in the ROTC Enclosure at the far north end of Building D.
BACKGROUND
Atrisco Heritage Academy High School – a 505,880 square-foot complex on 65 acres – is the state’s largest high school, serving 2,200 students. It is also the district’s newest high school, built in 2012.
APS schools and office buildings total more than 15 million square feet spread over 1,230 square miles.
APS has a district-wide electric utility bill averaging over $50,000 every day.
Given its massive utility footprint, APS has institutionalized energy savings and efficiency as part of its building and operational standards over the past two decades. All new and renovated facilities now have solar arrays installed, and all new construction is designed to meet LEED energy-efficiency standards.
The Atrisco Heritage Academy High School photovoltaic and battery storage project is the latest step toward the district’s ultimate goal of safe energy-efficient facilities that conserve taxpayer resources while reducing our carbon footprint.
“This project is another step in our long-term commitment to environmental responsibility. APS is proud to be at the forefront of solar power and energy storage deployment in the public school sector,” said Karen Alarid, APS Executive Director of Capital Construction.
Contact: Johanna King | king_joh@aps.edu | 505-362-6643