College of the Redwoods Approves Solar Deal

A community college in northern California has projected a savings of $4.2 million over the next 20 years from an implementation of solar. The College of the Redwoods Board of Trustees recently approved a proposal from ForeFront Power to install a 2.1 megawatt system and 500 kilowatt battery storage unit. The implementation will cover about three acres of open field on the campus, a third of the campus parking and the roof of a learning resource center.

College of the Redwoods

When fully deployed, the solar power will provide about 90 percent of the power needed by the Eureka-based main campus. Construction will start after a feasibility study by utility PG&E is completed. That's expected to take about a year. Installation will take an additional three months.

The deal eliminates capital outlay. Forefront will design, construct, own, operate and maintain the grid. The college will buy its power from the company for a flat rate for the next two decades. At that point, the college district will take ownership of the system.

The agreement includes a performance guarantee. Should there be any period when the grid fails to generate sufficient power to meet the 90 percent threshold and the college has to buy additional power from PG&E, ForeFront will cover the difference in pricing.

The school also hopes to make the grid a "living lab" as part of its Solar Technology program, with students serving internships and getting fellowships. ForeFront will also give the school renewable education resources.

"The number of jobs in solar energy is rising exponentially in California, and this project will give our students real-word insight into the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this growing field," said Kerry Mayer, the college's dean of career education, in a statement.

"Our trustees know that expanding the use of solar power will not only provide a reliable energy source for the campus and a platform for additional academic programming, but it will also help mitigate the problems associated with climate change," added President Keith Flamer.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • i-PRO, NovoTrax Partner for New School Emergency Response Solution

    i-PRO Americas, Inc., which manufactures edge computing cameras, recently announced a partnership with NovoTrax, provider of end-to-end life safety and mass notification solutions, to address gaps in emergency response workflows at K–12 schools, according to a news release.

  • Image courtesy of Armstrong International

    The Modern Hot Water System Approach to Keep Higher Education Buildings Safe and Operational

    Higher education campuses face unique structural and operational demands. With a range of old and new buildings, a variety of facility types, and ambitious sustainability goals, it's essential that no aspect of infrastructural performance is overlooked. Facility managers must be equipped to provide a safe, reliable and efficient space for students, faculty and guests.

  • Embry-Riddle Breaks Ground on New Office Building

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Fla., recently announced that construction has begun on a new office building for its campus Research Park, according to a news release. The university partnered with Hoar Construction on the 34,740-square-foot Center for Aerospace Technology II (CAT II), which will be used for research and lab purposes.

  • S4L Launches 2025 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey

    Spaces4Learning recently launched its 2025 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey, which gathers information on K–12 and higher education construction projects nationwide from the previous year. The data we get from you, our readers, forms an industry report offering an overview of current trends in school facilities.

Digital Edition