The Rescue Union School District expects to redirect 25 years of guaranteed solar-energy savings into school repairs after completing a districtwide panel installation across all seven campuses.
RUSD activated the system during the first week of June 2026, bringing renewable energy online at every school in the district, according to the district's solar project page. The project broke ground at Pleasant Grove Middle School in 2024 and expanded to cover all five elementary schools and both middle schools.
No tax dollars were used.
The freestanding solar structures were built at no cost to the district's general fund. Under a 25-year lease, RUSD said the guaranteed savings will go toward deferred maintenance and facility improvements at all seven campuses. The district has not released specific dollar figures for projected annual savings or total project cost.
RUSD, which serves 3,541 students in kindergarten through eighth grade during the 2025-26 school year according to the California Department of Education, selected El Dorado Hills-based contractor Excite Energy through a competitive bidding process. The district described Excite Energy as a Jackson Elementary family business.
Superintendent Jim Shoemake credited the two-year partnership with Excite Energy for helping the district transition to what he called a more cost-efficient future. He said the company's expertise, paired with district oversight, made the project possible.
"The savings from this project ensures we can address our long-term facility needs without impacting our classroom budgets," Shoemake said in the announcement.
The completed network of freestanding solar structures spans Lake Forest, Lakeview, Jackson, Green Valley and Rescue elementary schools, along with Marina Village and Pleasant Grove middle schools. Village Life first reported the district's announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Under the 25-year lease, the district said it will direct the guaranteed savings toward deferred maintenance and facility upgrades at all seven schools.
