In a recent announcement, California State University at Bakersfield reported that it has broken ground on a solar energy project that will provide for up to 30 percent of its energy needs. The project is expected to be complete at the end of the summer.
The effort is said to be part of a private-public partnership between the state's 15 CSU campuses that will see a variety of solar projects completed.
This particular photovoltaic project will generate about 1 megawatt of electricity while also providing shade to about 500 parking spaces located in the south part of the campus. The project is expected to cost about $9.5 million, with SunEdison paying the costs and selling the energy to the university at rates about 5 percent below their current level.
"We get 20 years of energy at a slightly lower rate and from a sustainable source," said university official Pat Jacobs. "We're doing something green for the environment, it helps the bottom line of the university, and I think people will enjoy having covered parking."
