Pasadena Schools and City Partner on 6.25MW Solar Plan

A California city and its school district just showed how powerful teamwork can be when it comes to fighting climate change.

Pasadena officials and school leaders announced Monday they're joining forces on an ambitious solar expansion that will transform a dozen school campuses into clean energy generators. The first phase will add 6.25 megawatts of solar capacity to parking lots across the district, with planning starting in 2026 and construction the following year.

The city has already committed $20 million to solar projects at libraries and utility facilities. By partnering with Pasadena Unified School District, they're dramatically expanding their reach without shouldering the entire burden alone.

"Every megawatt of energy that you either produce or store is a megawatt of energy that we don't have to produce or store," Councilmember Rick Cole told officials. Translation: schools generating their own power means less strain on the city's electrical grid.

The collaboration is already paying dividends. The school district saved roughly $566,000 in 2024 from existing solar installations, though officials admit they could have saved even more. Moving forward, the district plans to own solar systems outright rather than leasing them, allowing savings to flow directly back into classrooms and student programs.

Pasadena Water and Power General Manager David Reyes emphasized the partnership's importance in meeting the city's 2030 carbon-free electricity goal. "We can't do it alone," he said, noting that reaching such ambitious targets requires residents, schools and public agencies working together.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond the environmental wins, this partnership is creating unexpected benefits for the community. District officials are exploring programs that would connect students with training and careers in the growing clean energy industry, potentially launching young people into well-paying jobs right in their hometown.

Community members who spoke at Monday's meeting largely supported the collaboration. They encouraged officials to ensure equity in project rollout, protect existing infrastructure and prioritize local hiring as construction ramps up.

The meeting demonstrated how local governments can tackle big challenges by pooling resources and thinking creatively. What works in Pasadena could serve as a blueprint for other cities and school districts nationwide looking to accelerate their clean energy transitions while managing tight budgets.

By 2030, Pasadena aims to power itself entirely with carbon-free electricity, and these solar-topped school parking lots will play a starring role in making that vision reality.