The upfront work to size, purchase, and install onsite solar PV is not the end of the story—there are important considerations related to operations and ongoing management that can help you get the most from your school’s investment. Nationally-recognized technical assistance providers and building owners who have successfully implemented solar will share information about maximizing and documenting energy offset and cost savings, developing and implementing a robust operations and maintenance plan or contract, and how best to manage service providers . Our panelists will share what they have learned as successful solar PV owners and answer questions. Whether you are in the planning stages of your first onsite solar array or have multiple systems already operating, this session is sure to provide valuable insight that will bring value to your facility’s operations.

Panelists:

Gerald T. Robinson Technology Researcher III: Building Technology & Urban Systems Division, Berkeley Lab
Gerald is an energy manager with 25+ years of experience in energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy initiatives. He has a proven track record in both private and public sectors, working with universities, municipalities, corporations, NGOs, and federal agencies. He has expertise in project development, including legal, engineering, finance, audits, and system commissioning. As a Principal Investigator at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, Gerald advocates for public sector agencies on renewable energy projects, offering techno-economic support for power purchase agreements, energy savings performance contracts, and enhanced leases. He excels in collaborating with diverse stakeholders to drive sustainable solutions.

Desmond Ho, Operations and Sustainability Coordinator, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Desmond serves 18 schools and 14,000 students for Santa Barbara Unified School District. He oversaw the construction of 14 solar sites with 6 battery storage smart microgrids that provide on average 91% of each school site’s power needs. He’s successfully leveraged over 2 million dollars of grants for HVAC assessments, heat pump water heater upgrades, and is working on the complete retrofit of fluorescence lighting to LED throughout the entire district. Upcoming projects include implementing a 6 million dollar HVAC grant to replace natural gas-powered furnaces with heat pumps that will provide air conditioning to school sites while reducing energy consumption, leveraging additional grants and incentives to complete the conversion to LED lighting, and installation of 100+ EV charging stations across the district.

Gilbert Blue Feather Rosas, Director II Sustainability & Adaptation, Modesto City Schools
Gilbert’s passions are seeking environmental justice for disadvantaged communities and empowering students through sustainability initiatives and green career path choices. He has gained national attention through his leadership of two of the fastest Electric School Bus (ESB) deployments in California’s history. In 2020, Stockton Unified School District went from design to construction to buses charging in fewer than 11 months. In March of 2022, Gilbert joined Modesto City Schools (MCS) as the Director of Sustainability & Adaptation to help convert their existing 62 bus diesel fleet. MCS is the 25th largest School District in California, and they have converted half of their existing fleet with (30) Bluebird Buses.

Moderator:

Shannon Oliver, Senior Project Manager, NBI
Shannon brings experience with energy performance contracting, net zero building design, greenhouse gas inventories, water conservation, and waste management and reduction. His professional experience includes six years of air quality and environmental regulatory compliance for the oil and gas industry, and over seven years as the Manager of Energy & Sustainability at Adams 12 School District in north-Denver, Colorado. He has extensive experience in operational and facility sustainability programs for public institutions.