LOS ANGELES, Calif. — East Los Angeles College will build a solar farm that will generate nearly enough electricity to fulfill all the campus' daytime needs.
The school recently announced the move as part of the Los Angeles Community College District's (LACCD) larger plan of taking all nine of its campuses off the grid. It is, the district contends, the country's first community college system to be energy independent.
"This renewable energy project is another example that illustrates our District's strong commitment to move expeditiously toward building climate neutral campuses that will positively impact the environment," said Sylvia Scott-Hayes, president of the LACCD Board of Trustees. "Not only will our energy independent campuses save money for other educational resources, but they will also act as a living model to teach students how to lead sustainable, environmentally responsible lives."
Construction of the $9 million project began in mid-August, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. It will eventually generate one megawatt of electricity; the campus currently uses in average slightly more than one megawatt daily.
Chevron Energy Solutions will design the photovoltaic farm, which will be located on the Northwest Parking lot. The college’s bond program, approved by Los Angeles voters in 2001 and 2003, will pay for the project. Chevron Energy Solutions and the school will enter a 20-year Solar Service Agreement for the farm’s operation.
Similar projects will take place at the district’s eight other campuses as part of a $2.2 billion construction and modernization program. Future energy plans include using hydrogen to power fuel cells for night-time energy needs.
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