Mountain View Whisman School District’s Energy Cost Reduction Strategy

The Challenge

Identify long-term energy savings opportunities that reduce operating costs while modernizing aging school facilities

Project Overview

Mountain View Whisman School District, located in Silicon Valley, California, serves more than 4,600 pre-K through 8th-grade students across 12 school sites. Facing escalating utility costs that were increasingly draining funds from classroom learning, the district evaluated its facilities and energy use to identify opportunities for efficiency and modernization. Working with OPTERRA, Mountain View Whisman assessed its portfolio and implemented an on-site solar generation and EV charging solution designed to improve building performance, reduce energy consumption, and qualify the district for Gold certification – the highest tier of California’s Green Ribbon Schools program – while supporting long-term district priorities.

OPTERRA book donation to Mountain View Whisman School District libraries to support student learning.

Key Benefits

Energy

• Districtwide evaluation of energy use and facility performance.
• Identification of efficiency and infrastructure improvement opportunities.
• Clear roadmap for phased energy and facilities upgrades.
• Elimination of approximately 1,200 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually through energy improvements.

Savings

• $18 million in projected long-term savings identified through energy improvements.
• Reduced utility cost exposure through efficiency-driven savings.
• Improved financial predictability tied to performance-based outcomes.

Community

• Modernized facilities that support student learning environments.
• Reinvestment of operational savings into district priorities.
• Transparent, data-backed planning to support stakeholder confidence.
• Public EV charging infrastructure that serves district employees and community members.

Mountain View Whisman School District facility.

Energy Assessment and Strategy

OPTERRA conducted a comprehensive assessment of Mountain View Whisman’s facilities to identify operational inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities. The analysis focused on aligning energy performance improvements with district goals, providing leadership with a clear understanding of where upgrades could deliver the greatest impact.

Implementation and Funding

Based on the assessment, the district established a structured pathway for implementing prioritized energy and facilities improvements. This approach enables Mountain View Whisman to move forward with upgrades in a measured, performance-driven manner, ensuring improvements deliver verifiable operational and financial results.