Cal Poly Engineering To Dedicate Solar Energy System on Dec. 7
Free Solar Roof Is Provided by SunEdison, North America’s Largest Solar Services Provider
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.- December 05, 2006–(BUSINESS WIRE)
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California Polytechnic State University’s (Cal Poly) Engineering West will dedicate its new solar photovoltaic energy system on December 7 at 11 a.m. The Cal Poly solar panel system, part of an extended California State pilot program, was installed in September 2006 at no cost to the university. The system, which is expected to generate 263,000 kilowatt hours per year, was built and is owned, operated and maintained by SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider. The system will reduce a portion of Cal Poly’s energy costs by delivering predictable electrical energy pricing for the university for the next 20 years. The system will eliminate 110,000 pounds of greenhouse gases per year. Excess power generated by the system is fed directly to the campus grid.
Dennis Elliot, utility manager for Facility Services at Cal Poly said, “Cal Poly is dedicated to conserving resources and reducing costs. SunEdison made the implementation of solar simple. Solar puts us another step closer in our efforts to be a leader in sustainability efforts. Plus, given the volatility of the energy markets, the long-term fixed energy prices are very attractive.”
Added Jigar Shah, CEO of SunEdison, “Cal Poly understands that renewable energy goes beyond green marketing and is simply good business. They see that the University, like many other organizations, is at an inflection point where locking in predictable pricing over the next two decades will have a positive impact on the budget process.”
Cal Poly’s solar power system provides enough power for approximately 20 homes, and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 350,000 pounds per year, equivalent to approximately 35 commuter vehicles. Cal Poly joins two other CSU campuses, Dominguez Hills and Chico, in the pilot solar panel program administered by the Chancellor’s Office and the California State Department of General Services.
The program is intended to lower energy costs, promote renewable energy use and make CSU campuses more environmentally friendly. Engineering West was selected for the program because of low project costs and because its roof was already scheduled for replacement.