Porterville Unified School District in California is building a microgrid combining a 763 kilowatt solar array, a 408 kilowatt, 1,632 kilowatt hour battery storage system, and 35 DC fast charger ports, with ForeFront Power and The Mobility House. The project is partly funded by a U.S. EPA Clean School Bus Program grant secured with CALSTART's support, as reported on 7 July 2026. The microgrid can disconnect from Southern California Edison's grid to draw on site solar and battery power.
Why it matters: The project demonstrates how federal Clean School Bus grants can underwrite integrated solar, storage and DC fast charging infrastructure at scale, creating a procurement model for school districts seeking resilience and lower energy costs. It also highlights the role of charge management providers and nonprofit facilitators in securing public funding for EV infrastructure.