Atrisco Heritage Academy High School Solar + Storage Project

Sandia recently partnered with Albuquerque Public Schools, NM Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the Department of Energy, and OE Solar for the opening of the district’s largest solar installation together with the state’s most extensive battery energy storage system. The $3.2 million solar + storage project at Atrisco Heritage Academy High School is expected to save the school district over $3.5 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years.

Atrisco Heritage Academy has the largest utility bill in the district, costing taxpayers approximately $354,000 per year. The new solar PV array contains 2,208 Tier-1 panels creating 1.3 gigawatt hours of energy annually from solar. The Tesla Megapack 2 can store 2,884kWh of energy to deploy for peak shaving and energy cost savings.

The scope of the project includes 2,200 solar panels located on the school rooftop and a battery energy storage system that will store the energy collected by the solar array. The battery storage system will allow for nighttime charging and will reduce the peak demand charges experienced during daytime hours.

In addition to saving the district millions of dollars, the new solar array and battery storage system establish the school as a power shelter and resiliency hub, meaning community members can use the school power supply during emergencies and blackouts.

“This project is another step in our long-term commitment to environmental responsibility. APS is proud to be at the forefront of solar power and energy storage deployment in the public-school sector.” said Karen Alarid, APS Executive Director of Capital.

Dr. Imre Gyuk, Director of Energy Storage Research, DOE Office of Electricity, noted, “This is advanced energy technology for the benefit of the public, saving energy and reducing costs. The project will serve as an example for other schools in New Mexico and throughout the U.S.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Atrisco Heritage High School on October 13, 2022.

Watch the KRQE news story here.