This is great! I have been working on solar for the school district since December 2008 and actively researching, working out details and holding meetings with the school board since early 2009. We are very close to installing solar for the benefit of the environment and our finances.

What Kaiser is doing is called a "Power Purchase Agreement" or PPA for short. This was my original plan to introduce solar as a potential money savings for the district. We have moved into a much higher savings scenario because of the budget crisis. We are now looking at saving tens of millions of dollars over the life of our system.

Kaiser Permanente agreed to purchase the solar power through a PPA with Recurrent Energy, which will own and operate all of the solar power systems. Citigroup, an equity investor on a portion of the projects, was a key partner in structuring the agreements between the two entities. Kaiser will purchase the solar power at a discount while the third party collects the incentives.

A PPA is a great way to get started in solar, however, if you can keep your eye on what we are about to do, (given that our bond passes), you will be amazed at the financial savings possible with solar and the right financing arrangement. All this will happen while at the same time converting 80% of our power use to one of the cleanest energy sources available.

Follow the related link below to find out a bit more about Kaisers planned system.