Ameresco Develops On-site Solar for Orange Unified School District

Key Terms

solar photovoltaic technical

Solar photovoltaic is a technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using panels made of materials that generate a flow of electrons when struck by light. For investors, it matters because photovoltaic systems create predictable, long-lived revenue or cost savings from producing power, and their economics—installation cost, efficiency, lifespan, and government incentives—drive returns much like the performance and upkeep of a factory determine its profit.

power purchase agreement financial

A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract in which a buyer agrees to purchase electricity from a generator at an agreed price and schedule, similar to a multi-year subscription for power or a long-term lease of an energy source. Investors care because PPAs provide predictable revenue and cash flow for the generator, reduce market-price exposure, and shift credit and performance risk to the buyer, all of which affect valuation, financing and perceived investment stability.

renewable energy technical

Sources of power that come from naturally replenishing resources—such as sunlight, wind, flowing water, and geothermal heat—rather than fuels that can run out. Investors care because renewable energy can reduce long-term fuel costs, lower regulatory and climate risk, and create growing markets for technology and infrastructure; think of it like putting money into a well that refills itself rather than a one-time fuel tank, offering steadier long-term returns and different risk profiles.

solar PV technical

Solar PV (solar photovoltaic) describes panels or systems that convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. For investors, it matters because solar PV is a primary way companies and utilities generate renewable power, affecting revenue, capital spending, project returns and exposure to policy incentives or cost changes—similar to how a factory’s machines determine its output and profitability.

These solar projects are projected to deliver $6.3 million in long-term cost savings across California schools

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider, and Orange Unified School District (OUSD) today announced the completion of a solar photovoltaic rooftop and carport installation project spanning seven schools. The project is anticipated to generate $6.3 million in savings for the school district over 25 years.

Orange Unified School District is reducing energy costs and optimizing efficiency with Ameresco’s resilient solar PV solutions, supporting long-term energy independence.

Ameresco developed the rooftop and carport canopy solar PV systems for Orange Unified School District, located at four elementary, one middle, and two high school campuses. As part of the power purchase agreement contract, Ameresco will own and maintain the solar systems, and OUSD will purchase the power generated by each system at a fixed rate for the next 25 years. This fixed rate allows OUSD to lock in energy savings, insulating them from any fluctuations in energy pricing and guaranteeing savings. This initiative comprises seven solar projects, five of which are already complete. The remaining two high schools are scheduled to be energized by the end of 2025.

“Our strong and long-term partnership with Ameresco is helping us to decrease energy costs and work toward our goal to optimize efficiency across the district,” said Isela Vazquez, Sr. Executive Director, Facilities Development & Planning at Orange Unified School District. “By investing in resilient energy technology, we’re investing in our district’s energy independence and ensuring our ability to provide the best possible education to every single of our students.”

OUSD serves approximately 25,000 students from preschool to grade 12 from Orange County, California in the cities of Orange, Villa Park, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and unincorporated county areas. The solar project is a part of the ongoing efforts of the district to enhance efficiencies district-wide through a focus on sustainability and reduced fuel consumption, among other measures. This project will enhance OUSD’s efforts in this area significantly by driving energy savings through increasing reliance on renewable energy generated by on-site solar systems.

“These initiatives highlight how schools can strengthen their energy resilience while reducing costs,” said Lou Maltezos, President of Central & Western USA, Canada Regions at Ameresco. “We’re proud to see our long-standing partnership with the district delivering meaningful results and look forward to building on this success together.”

To learn more about the solar solutions offered by Ameresco, visit www.ameresco.com/solution-solar-power/

About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Our comprehensive portfolio includes implementing smart energy efficiency solutions, upgrading aging infrastructure, and developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources. As a trusted full-service partner, Ameresco shows the way by reducing energy use and delivering energy infrastructure solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, data centers, educational and healthcare institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

The announcement of the completion or development of a renewable energy asset by Ameresco is not necessarily indicative of the timing or amount of revenue from such assets, of Ameresco’s overall revenue for any particular period or of trends in Ameresco’s overall total assets in development or operation. This project was included in Ameresco’s previously reported assets in development as of September 30, 2025.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251202342232/en/

Media Contact:

Ameresco: Leila Dillon, 508-661-2264, news@ameresco.com

Source: Ameresco, Inc.