St. James Academy – Solana Beach
A customized 116 kW solar solution and architectural trellis system designed to provide immediate operational savings for a private school campus in Southern California.
Project overview
The St. James Academy solar project features a 116 kW photovoltaic system engineered to offset the majority of the school’s daytime energy demand. Located in Solana Beach, the system leverages California’s high solar insolation to deliver significant utility cost relief. By transitioning to on-site generation, the academy has stabilized its long-term facility expenses, ensuring that more funding remains available for student programs and campus development.
116 kW
Rooftop & trellis array
Solana Beach, California
The design at St. James Academy emphasizes architectural integration and land-use efficiency. Rather than a standard installation, the project utilizes a combination of rooftop space and a custom-built solar trellis.
This trellis serves as a functional campus upgrade, providing a shaded outdoor area for students and faculty while doubling as a high-efficiency energy generator. The engineering team prioritized a low-profile aesthetic to complement the existing school buildings and the surrounding Solana Beach community. This dual-use approach allowed the school to modernize its infrastructure without sacrificing limited open campus space.
Sustainable Capital Finance (SCF) utilized a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to bring this project to life with zero capital outlay from the school. By removing the barrier of upfront costs, the academy was able to prioritize sustainability and fiscal responsibility simultaneously. The agreement ensures that the system is fully maintained by SCF, allowing the school’s staff to focus on education rather than energy management.
- Institutional off-taker: Private educational academy
- Unique Design: Integrated rooftop and functional trellis structures
- Operational Goal: Direct reduction of SDG&E utility expenditures
- Financial Structure: No-cost Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
- Reduces Day 1 energy costs by over 20%
- Protects the school budget from future utility rate volatility
- Provides functional shaded areas for outdoor campus use
- Demonstrates institutional commitment to environmental stewardship
