McKinstry, a national leader in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-performing buildings, is undertaking a number of energy performance contract (EPC) projects in schools across Colorado, including Denver Public Schools, Fremont RE-2 School District, and Colorado School of Mines.
Denver Public Schools: The project includes upgrades at 27 schools, totaling more than 3.8 million square feet, to improve the learning environment, address maintenance challenges, reduce utility costs through efficiency improvements, and fund capital upgrades. Upgrades include rooftop solar installations at 14 schools that will generate electricity and help the district meet its sustainability goals in a fiscally responsible manner.
“Our overall goal is to improve the quality of the learning environment for our students and staff to ensure that we meet our vision of ‘Every Child Succeeds.’ All told, this project will enhance the educational environment for more than 15,000 students and 500 staff,” said Trena Marsal, executive director of facilities for Denver Public Schools.
Fremont RE-2 School District: The $3.2 million project includes an approximately 500kW solar photovoltaic array to serve the high school. The project will include lighting upgrades, HVAC replacements and renovations, a behavior-focused awareness and operational efficiency program, and more.
“Colorado rural school districts face many challenges, often resulting in difficult decisions about addressing or deferring maintenance of facilities. Because this project is fully funded through guaranteed savings, we can address these critical improvements and enhance the educational environment for our students and staff,” said Dr. Brenda Krage, Florence-Penrose School superintendent.
Colorado School of Mines: A new solar feasibility study for the installation of solar PV systems campus-wide. The study, which will provide insights around the costs, benefits and potential PV capacity on campus, builds on a 74-kW solar array that McKinstry installed at Mines’ new McNeil Hall back in September. That PV array alone is expected to generate 100 MWh of energy each year.
“McKinstry is excited to incorporate a student engagement component in the solar study through the Capstone Design@Mines program,” said Leslie Larocque, McKinstry’s vice president, Energy & Technical Services for the Mountain Region. “Under the direction of our powerED team, students will work and design the study for Mines Park (a small section of the north campus) which will be incorporated into the larger study.”
