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MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of
Energy estimates that the nation's schools spend an average of $175 per
student on energy costs -- a figure that continues to rise every year.
Overall, utility bills are the second largest expense behind personnel costs
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071030/AQTU029LOGO)
At the same time, there is a growing awareness across the country about
environmental impact and the effects of global warming. And many schools are
looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions and serve as models of energy
conservation.
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) is helping school districts in California address
both concerns through an innovative solar program. The company today announced
that Dixon Unified School District and Riverdale Joint Unified School District
in central California have awarded Honeywell solar projects expected to drive
more than $1 million in energy savings for each district over the next 20
years. Under the agreements, Honeywell will install solar panels at several
facilities and sell the electricity the panels produce to the districts. The
projects require no upfront investment from the districts, which are able to
buy renewable energy at a price below their current utility rates.
In Dixon, Honeywell will install a SunSeeker(TM) ground-mounted
photovoltaic solar array from Thompson Technology Industries at the district's
new high school. The array will use single-axis tracking technology to
automatically orient the panels to the sun's position in the sky, improving
the electrical output of the system. The system is expected to generate more
than 1.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually -- enough energy to
power 120 homes per year and supply more than 80 percent of the electricity
for the school.
"The combination of financial and environmental benefits made the solar
project with Honeywell a sound decision," said Dixon Unified School District
superintendent Roger Halberg. "The new high school will serve the district for
a long time. And the solar installation will help ensure it is as carbon
neutral as possible."
Honeywell will install similar technology at Riverdale High School and
Fipps Primary School in Riverdale. These arrays are expected to generate
nearly 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which will cover
more than 60 percent of the district's total electricity load.
"The fact that going green also provided a financial advantage was very
attractive to us," said Elaine Cash, superintendent of Riverdale Joint Unified
School District. "This solar project with Honeywell will maximize our budget
resources while maintaining clean, sustainable schools."
Honeywell also has implemented solar projects for Pleasanton Unified
School District in the San Francisco Bay Area and Poway Unified School
District in San Diego. It estimates that if only 20 percent of California
districts installed similar solar technology, the state could reduce
conventional electricity consumption in schools by 6 to 9 percent.
Collectively, the company's solar work for schools in California is
expected to cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4.3 million
pounds and nitrous oxide emissions by nearly 4,000 pounds. According to
figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this is equivalent to
removing more than 460 cars from the road or planting 575 acres of trees.
In addition to reducing costs and emissions, the solar arrays at all four
districts are expected to serve as an educational tool that faculty can use to
teach students about energy conservation and alternative energy sources.
Through Web-based portals, teachers and students will be able to see the real-
time electrical output from the solar technology and learn how the systems
operate.
"Honeywell is helping these school districts identify the most appropriate
renewable energy technology to meet their unique requirements, and doing it in
a way that is line with their budgets," said Kent Anson, vice president of
global energy for Honeywell Building Solutions. "In addition to helping the
schools with rising energy costs, the solar arrays also will provide students
a solid educational tool for years to come."
Honeywell will work with SPG Solar, Inc. to install the panels, and
expects to begin providing electricity to the Dixon and Riverdale districts by
year's end. The work will partially be funded by solar rebates offered through
the California Solar Initiative, a program aimed at moving the state toward a
cleaner energy future through implementation of solar systems.
Honeywell International is a $38 billion diversified technology and
manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive
products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township,
N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock
Exchanges. For additional information, please visit http://www.honeywell.com.
Honeywell Building Solutions is part of the Honeywell Automation and Control
Solutions business group, a global leader in providing product and service
solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory
compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings
and industry. For more information about Building Solutions, access
http://www.honeywell.com/buildingsolutions.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than
statements of fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or
our management intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may
occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are based on management's assumptions and assessments in light of past
experience and trends, current conditions, expected future developments and
other relevant factors. They are not guarantees of future performance, and
actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those
envisaged by our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements
are also subject to risks and uncertainties, which can affect our performance
in both the near- and long-term. We identify the principal risks and
uncertainties that affect our performance in our Form 10-K and other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Honeywell
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