News Release

All Campuses

CCCC to Build Solar Photovoltaic Field

Ridgecrest, CA – February 4, 2004

Cerro Coso Community College is proud to announce the development of a one Megawatt Solar Photovoltaic Field at its Ridgecrest location. The Board of Trustees of the Kern Community College District awarded the construction contract to Contra Costa Electric of Bakersfield, California. The awarded contract amount was $8.9 million for the one Megawatt system.

The Addington Partnership also of Bakersfield is the Project Architect and Project Designer. The system is by far the largest such system for a community college in the nation.

The field will be located on the Ridgecrest campus and will reduce the campus electrical consumption via net-metering with Southern California Edison (SCE). SCE is graciously providing the seed incentive that makes the project financially feasible. The project is expected to receive a rebate check of around $4.5 million under the California Public Utilities Commission, as administered in the region by SCE. The remainder of the project funds is from local bond sales. The project is situated to allow for a developing PV instructional program on campus.

General project design consists of 6 1/2 acres of ground mounted Sharp Electronic solar modules and a free standing concrete building that will house the inverters, distribution equipment and allows for student laboratory space. The building is sized for a 50% photovoltaic future expansion. "In light of difficult economic times for community colleges, this solar field will provide some budgetary relief for Cerro Coso Community College. I am grateful to Southern California Edison for the matching funds and to the voters of Kern County for supporting Proposition 39. Cerro Coso will have the largest solar field of any community college in the nation and we believe it to be the second largest field in the State of California. It represents a much needed savings for the College." stated Dr. Sharon K. Dyer, President of Cerro Coso Community College.

Construction is slated to begin immediately and is projected for completion in early June, 04.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Services (760) 384-6230