Panels for Progress
Brentwood Union Free School District
District cuts costs by installing 6,600 kW of roof and canopy-mounted photovoltaic systems
Brentwood Union Free School District has taken a major step toward energy resilience and cost reduction with the launch of Phase II of its energy performance contract (EPC), designed by Tetra Tech. Building on the success of the district’s first EPC, Phase II focused primarily on a district-wide solar photovoltaic (PV) program intended to substantially lower electric expenditures while delivering additional facility improvements that were not part of the initial phase.
The centerpiece of the project was a large-scale solar installation distributed across all 17 district properties. The collaborative design effort resulted in a system described as 6.6 megawatts (6,600 kW) of roof- and canopy-mounted PV capacity — at the time of design, the largest installation for a school district on Long Island. The deployment featured a network of canopy arrays and rooftop modules totaling approximately 15,000 solar panels. Beyond energy production, the canopies were carefully sited in parking areas and at student drop-off and pick-up locations to serve a dual purpose, generating clean electricity and providing sheltered walkways and covered parking for students, staff, and visitors.
In addition to the solar work, Tetra Tech’s scope included energy-efficient lighting upgrades, ceiling replacement, building weatherization, and enhanced controls. These measures were selected following a detailed baseline study of equipment and system consumption for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and water heating at each facility. That baseline allowed Tetra Tech to determine technically and financially effective strategies to maximize energy savings and long-term performance.
One of the project’s primary challenges was construction phasing. Installation work had to be staged to limit impacts on the educational program. The project team developed a phased construction approach that coordinated academic, athletics, after-school activities and community events and schedules to avoid disruptions. By sequencing work during non-instructional periods, weekends, and school breaks, the team minimized interruptions while keeping the project on schedule.
The distributed solar generation is expected to dramatically reduce grid electricity purchases and the district’s carbon footprint. The collaborative design process among district representatives, the ESCO, and Tetra Tech ensured that site selection for canopies balanced operational needs, student safety, shading considerations, and electrical interconnection requirements.
Brentwood Union Free School District demonstrates how EPCs and public–private partnerships can deliver large-scale renewables through technical rigor, collaborative design, and student-focused planning.