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Last Updated: May 17th, 2007 - 10:00:42 |
Solar Parking Lot Adds Big Green to Campus
By greenbiz.com
Apr 9, 2007
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FRESNO, Calif., April 9, 2007 --
Construction has begun at California State University, Fresno on a
solar panel-topped parking structure system being built by Chevron
Energy Solutions, a Chevron subsidiary, that will be the largest of its
kind at any university in the United States.
Photovoltaic panels installed atop 10 metal shelters that will
shade more than 700 parking spaces from the San Joaquin Valley sun,
will convert the sun's energy into 1 megawatt of electricity. That's
about 20 percent of the university’s base demand and equivalent to the
power needs of 1,000 homes, said Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Fresno State
vice president for administration and chief financial officer.
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The $11.9-million project received approval from the California
State University Board of Trustees last summer and is scheduled for
completion by this fall.
The work will be done in phases to minimize the impact of parking lot closings on students.
Phase 1 will start with renovation of the south part of student
parking Lot V, which is at Woodrow and Shaw avenues, directly west of
the Student Recreation Center, said Bob Boyd, associate vice president
for facilities management.
University Police Department is working with the contractors and
Save Mart Center officials to minimize the impact of the project on big
events at the arena by opening some of the construction area to
parking. Most events, however, occur in evenings when there are the
fewest students, faculty and staff on campus. A substantial part of the
work will occur after Commencement (May 19) and the end of spring
semester classes, which decreases parking demand.
Using alternative power will ease the burden on local power
supplier Pacific Gas & Electric Co., and the entire California
power grid, especially during peak electricity demand periods such as
those that occur during very hot weather. It also reduces greenhouse
gas emissions and fuel consumption by power generating plants.
Fresno State President John D. Welty said the solar power project
is "a great example" of the university’s goal to "lead the way in
helping to advance sustainability initiatives and utilize scarce
natural resources."
"Solar power is an important resource in the global energy
portfolio," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions.
"Through this project, Fresno State is demonstrating that clean,
renewable power is commercially viable and growing in demand."
The photovoltaic solar project is in keeping with our Strategic
Plan and is part of our comprehensive Campus Master Plan currently in
progress.
"The Strategic Plan addresses our need to become a more
environmentally aware campus by expanding recycling, sustainability in
building design and construction, improved energy efficiency and
environmental education," said Teniente-Matson.
This project also is integrated with the educational mission of the
university, aligned with the College of Engineering and the Physics
Department. In both of those areas, an information kiosk will provide
online, real time status of the photovoltaic production, conversion and
electricity output.
"All aspects of this project will expand and enhance our campus
education on sustainability and our community’s knowledge of solar
energy while reducing our energy cost for the next 30 years," said
Teniente-Matson.
The solar-power project is just one of the university’s "green
campus" initiatives, many of which are part of the Campus Master Plan,
which will guide development of the 363-acre academic campus through
the next decade and beyond.
Parking is a major consideration in the master plan as the
university seeks to add spaces to meet growth needs, but not at the
expense of committing more than the current 75 acres devoted to
parking.
In addition to the solar panels for electrical generation, the
covered parking areas will provide ultraviolet and environmental (tree
leaves, etc.) vehicle protection including much-welcomed shade in the
summer months, said Teniente-Matson.
The solar project also is part of the California State University
system’s commitment to "green" programs, sustainability, energy
efficiency and environmental education. CSU trustees recently revised
the 23-campus system’s energy policy with a goal of reducing
consumption by 15 percent, following a 10 percent reduction from
1999/2000 through 2005.
Source: http://greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34867
© Copyright 2007 by CivilizedNation.com
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