Dos Pueblos High School’s solar panels completed a three-year electrical upgrade over the summer to be compatible with the electric grid on campus and manage the stored energy efficiently. Areas such as the gym and Elings Performing Arts Center (EPAC) can now operate on solar power, making energy use more financially sustainable.

“Scott and Sons, an electrical contractor, was at DP pulling out all the old wire from the ‘60s and putting in new wire to support the new electrical circuits on campus,” Assistant Principal Ian Perry said. “The solar panels are generating electricity and storing it in Tesla batteries, and the panels are connected to the gym, the EPAC, and the pool.”

Before the renovation and new wiring, the solar panels were generating power, but the energy couldn’t be used in any school buildings because the electrical systems hadn’t been upgraded.

“There have been cases of power outages, and when that happened, the gym was working, the EPAC was working, and the pool was working,” Perry said. “Everywhere else would be cold at this time, but the gym still has power and can keep 750 people warm and safe.”

Perry said it’s unlikely the school will work to link the solar panels to other classrooms, noting that “large-scale electrical upgrades are costly.” However, the panels’ current condition works to save the school money on electricity.

“The panels store energy, and once they’re full, they’ll start pumping energy into the gym and EPAC, and pool,” Perry said. “That’ll reuse the electricity and save us money.”