Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has maintained an extensive commitment to renewable energy since crafting a strategic plan in 2006 calling for the adoption of sustainable practices campus-wide. Today the college announces its partnership with one of Solar Power World’s Top 250 Solar Contractors Positive Energy Solar on two major projects impacting both student learning and campus sustainability. One of those projects will be unveiled to the public at a ceremony on Friday, April 25 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the school’s Trades and Advanced Technology Center.
SFCC Interim President Randy Grissom announced the new venture: “Santa Fe Community College is excited to collaborate with Positive Energy Solar on a special project that builds on our commitment to leadership in education and training for the renewable energy sector. Today we take the first steps to create a solar-powered campus by unveiling the first of two installations: an 11.8kW array comprised of three dual axis trackers set on the south side of campus next to the Trades and Technology Center. What makes this project particularly important to students is its sophisticated monitoring equipment that will allow students, faculty and staff to study and monitor the system in real time.”
Grissom added that this summer, the college and Positive Energy Solar will break ground on the second project, a much larger 1.5 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic array that will produce 40 percent of the college’s energy immediately after installation.
Positive Energy Solar and general contractor Bradbury Stamm Construction, Inc. of Albuquerque were selected to design and install the solar arrays following a competitive bid process last year. Today’s installation helps SFCC meet its long-term goals to reduce utility bills, lower carbon output from campus operations, and begin to integrate actual power generation technologies into existing curriculum. The 11.8kW array will serve as hands-on instruction for students pursuing the Solar Energy Certificate, allowing quick transitions for students into the green energy and green building industries.
Eventually, the combined solar energy from two installations will save the college approximately $200,000 per year and provide a net financial benefit of more than $1 million after the cost of the system. Installation of the larger 1.5MW array is scheduled to complete by October 1, 2014. Positive Energy Solar CEO Regina Wheeler reflects, “It’s so inspiring to see Santa Fe Community College investing in their students’ education and the community in this way. The experience they will gain is firsthand and direct. Positive Energy Solar is employing young people who care about making a better future for the world, and finding a qualified workforce so close to home is an added benefit to us.”
The groundbreaking on Friday kicks off a weekend-long Solar Fiesta 2014 at SFCC. Area high school students will be present to observe the dedication of the 11.8kW photovoltaic array, and then will be introduced to the college’s career-oriented renewable energy programs through workshops, films and exhibits. Events sponsored in part by Positive Energy Solar will be taking place Friday and Saturday. The public is invited to attend, and activities for all ages will be offered. For more information on Solar Fiesta 2014, visit www.nmsolarfiesta.org.
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