by Shane Henson — December 14, 2011—Mission College is on the fast track to becoming a model of sustainability through its recently launched sustainability initiative. The community college in Santa Clara, California has already become significantly more energy efficient through of a 1.1-megawatt (MW) solar power system that SunPower Corp. manufactured.
According to Sun Power Corp officials, the 1.5-acre, 1.1 MW parking lot canopy structure will generate approximately one-third of Mission College’s electricity demand, while reducing energy costs and providing shading for parked vehicles. Comprised of 2,640 high-efficiency, SunPower E19 / 425 Solar Panels, the system will generate up to 50% more energy for the college than a similarly-sized system with conventional solar panels. Over the 25-year-life of the system, Mission College is expected to save approximately $8.5 million in electricity costs.
“At a time when schools are hard-pressed to reduce operating expenses, SunPower is working with K-12 schools, community colleges and universities to finance solar power solutions that supply significant, ongoing savings,” said SunPower managing director Bill Kelly. “To realize a great return on its investment in clean energy, Mission College wisely utilized low-interest financing mechanisms accessible to educational institutions and selected a system with guaranteed long-term energy performance and the highest efficiency, highest reliability on the market today.”
SunPower is actively installing solar power systems at more than 90 educational facilities in California during the 2011 to 2012 academic year. Over the last month, SunPower has celebrated the completion of installations at seven schools, including the 1.1-megawatt system at Mission College. The company has also built systems for community colleges including Bakersfield College, Mendocino College, Napa Valley College, Ohlone College, the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, and the Los Angeles Community College District. SunPower has more than 750 large solar power systems in operation or under contract globally.
