San Marcos Unified School District’s Fleet Electrification

The Challenge

Lead the zero-emission transition and power an electric fleet with sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy

Project Overview

San Marcos Unified School District (USD) in northern San Diego County, California, serves 19,500 students. Committed to sustainability, the district partnered with Opterra to transition 75 school buses to electric vehicles and build a resilient energy infrastructure.

Key Benefits

Energy

• LED lighting retrofits and solar PV systems will cut energy costs.
• The transportation yard’s microgrid will ensure operations during power outages.

Savings

• The project will save over $40 million in energy costs over 20 years, with $500,000 annually for the General Fund.
• The district will reduce carbon emissions by 23,000 metric tons annually.

Community

• Benefits include reduced diesel exhaust, reliable transportation, and Opterra-sponsored STEM internships for students.

Electric school buses charging under solar panel canopies at a San Marcos Unified School District facility.

Energy Assessment and Strategy

The project began with an audit of the district’s energy use, fleet needs, and local utility grid reliability. Opterra recommended a resilient energy infrastructure at the transportation yard and identified cost-saving opportunities district-wide.

Implementation and Funding

San Marcos USD signed a 20-year contract with Opterra to fund, design, install, operate, and maintain the infrastructure. The district secured $3.5 million in federal funding and $1.75 million in grants and rebates for the energy infrastructure, along with $11.5 million for 40 electric buses. San Marcos USD’s approach to fleet electrification and energy infrastructure ensures long-term sustainability and resilience.