When schools lead with bold innovation, they don’t just reduce costs or keep the lights on — they model what it means to build a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come. The Yolo County Office of Education has embraced that vision, launching a first-of-its-kind initiative to bring cleaner, more resilient energy to its schools by building an independent microgrid system, making Yolo County the first county office of education in the nation to do so.
“This project will not only move our county office of education toward complete sustainability in how we consume energy, but it will also save us millions of dollars in the long term. The project aligns with our vision to be a model of excellence in educational service, innovation and impact.” — Dr. Garth Lewis, Yolo County Superintendent of Schools
Known for its rich agricultural heritage and strong community values, Yolo County is now making its mark as a leader in sustainability. The $4.8 million Schools Resiliency and Sustainability Project, announced during a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 23, 2024, has been in development for over five years. Through a public-private partnership with Syserco Energy Solutions, a California-based clean energy provider, six sites in Yolo County will be transformed by 2026 with renewable solar energy, battery storage and advanced energy management technology, positioning Yolo COE as a leader in sustainable education.
At the heart of the initiative is the microgrid, a small-scale power grid that can operate with or without the main grid. In times of outages, the microgrid will keep the heart of our operations alive—keeping internet flowing, HVAC running and ensuring learning never skips a beat. The project will also add solar arrays, efficient HVAC systems and electric vehicle charging stations to prepare facilities for the future of cleaner transportation. Beyond addressing immediate resiliency, leaders highlight the profound, lasting benefits for students, families and the surrounding community. Yolo COE anticipates saving more than $7 million in energy costs over the next 20 years while achieving dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions — an impact equal to safeguarding 560 acres of U.S. forestland annually.
For Yolo County, this initiative is more than infrastructure — it is a bold statement about the future the community is determined to build. That vision was nationally recognized when Yolo COE’s green grid programs earned the K-12 Public Schools Award from Green Technology at the 2025 Sustainable Facilities Forum in Sacramento. This recognition not only affirms Yolo COE’s leadership in sustainable education, but also elevates the community’s collective commitment to building greener, healthier schools for local students and families.
More than an award, it is a testament to the power of innovation in education — showing that when schools lead boldly, they inspire students to become stewards of a cleaner, healthier world for generations to come.
