Case Study: Montecito Union School District achieves 97% energy offset and a solar-powered Nature Lab with Ameresco

Students Discover Solar Power and Carbon Reduction With Unique Hands-on Nature Lab

Montecito Union School District engaged Ameresco to create a Nature Lab “Collaboratory” that provides an immersive indoor/outdoor environment for K–6 STEAM activities. The district needed a shaded, sustainable learning space that would teach students about renewable energy while reducing energy costs and carbon emissions; Ameresco delivered a canopy‑mounted solar PV solution to meet those goals.

Ameresco installed 450+ solar panels (approximately 180 kW DC canopy-mounted solar PV) to generate about 300,000 kWh annually, offsetting roughly 97% of the facility’s energy use, cutting CO2 by an estimated 5,000 metric tons per year and delivering about $40,000 in annual energy savings. The Ameresco project not only achieved strong fiscal and environmental impacts but also created a hands-on STEAM classroom where students directly experience sustainability.

Montecito Union School District

Anthony Ranii

Superintendent