Companies )The San Diego Community College District to Implement PV Program |
| Published 25 September 2009 |
| The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) has approved a 20-year agreement with Borrego Solar to construct and maintain a photovoltaic system that will provide about 2.4 megawatts of green energy across the district. This project is one of the largest of its kind for a college or university system in the nation. The system will be financed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) which will enable the District to access and use solar-generated energy, without the upfront capital costs or operational expenses. Under the agreement, Borrego Solar would build, operate and maintain the solar system, and sell the generated solar energy back to the District at rates approximately 18% below those of San Diego Gas & Electric; a savings of more than $110,000 annually. The solar energy generated by the District system would be enough to meet 26% of current peak electrical demand, helping to reduce the increasing demand for power from San Diego’s existing utility grid. The photovoltaic program calls for the solar panels to be installed on building rooftops, parking structures and atop new solar panel shade structures on parking lots throughout the District. "This is a win-win for the San Diego Community College District, and the community in general,” said David Umstot, Vice Chancellor of Facilities. “By taking advantage of modern solar technology and current renewable energy incentives, we are able to promote our environmental commitment by producing clean electricity on site, reducing our carbon footprint, and working to find solutions for meeting the growing energy demands within the San Diego community.” 'We are delighted to partner with the San Diego Community College District on a project that will raise the bar locally in sustainable energy development,” said Mark Pearson, Senior Energy Consultant for Borrego Solar. “The District is setting a great example of how projects of this scale can make significant, long-lasting and positive impacts in their operations and working and learning environment. We applaud them for taking the stand that the future is now!” The new solar energy system will generate 2.4 megawatts of energy annually, or the equivalent of powering 650 homes per year. The first 20 years of production will generate a number of environmental benefits, including: |
| Source: Borrego Solar |
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