Camarillo, Calif., Oct. 21, 2008—California State University Channel Islands is one of the 15 California State University campuses that will soon generate its own photovoltaic (solar) power as part of a public-private partnership agreement announced today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The entire project will bring eight megawatts of green power online at the 15 campuses as well as at the CSU executive office.
The California Department of General Services and the CSU will work with solar service provider SunEdison to deliver approximately 12 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy in the first year of operation. CSU Channel Islands’ estimated annual share of generation will be about 603,236 kilowatt hours.
“When this project is operational, CSUCI will generate about seven percent of its current annual power consumption,” explained Gary Corlett, Manager, Operations, Planning & Construction at CSUCI. “Generating that amount of sustainable energy reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 429 metric tons or the equivalent to taking about 79 cars off the road each year permanently.”
The photovoltaic system SunEdison will install at CSUCI will be a canopy of solar panels located in a student parking lot on the southeastern area of campus. The system will be constructed over approximately 140 existing parking spaces and also will provide shade for vehicles parked beneath it. The canopy of solar panels will have a neutral impact on the number of parking spaces.
Construction on the solar canopy at CSUCI will begin in 2009.
As state government's contract manager, the Department of General Services negotiated the alternative financing method known as a power-purchase agreement for CSU. The agreement allows CSU to buy renewable power at or below current retail rates while avoiding the cost of installing the system. Under this agreement, SunEdison will finance, build and operate the solar panels for 20 years.
The CSU system already receives 20 percent of system-wide electricity from sustainable sources. In total, the new agreements with SunEdison will ensure that more than 25 percent of all CSU power comes from sustainable sources.
###
# # #
About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.