Sierra College Dedicates New Solar Array to Save Money, Increase Use of Renewable Energy, and Shade Parking Spaces on Rocklin Campus
Board of Trustees: Carol Garcia, Nancy Palmer, Scott Leslie, Bob Sinclair, Cari Dawson Bartley, Paul Bancroft, and Student Trustee Iulia Tarasova, Superintendent/President Willy Duncan, Laura Doty, Director, Facilities and Construction, Colin Irwin, Deputy Director, Plant Operations, Erik Skinner, Vice President, Administrative Services, Lisa Mealoy of the Community College League of California, Maggie Huber of the Sierra College ECOS Club, and representatives of contractor ForeFront Power. Photo provided by photographer Daryl Stinchfield who gives permission for its distribution.
On Tuesday, October 8, Sierra College dedicated a new solar array at its Rocklin campus that is projected to save millions of dollars in long-term energy costs. The two megawatt (MW) solar parking canopy structure plus energy storage system developed with ForeFront Power will provide reliable electricity to the campus over a 20-year term. Sierra College procured this renewable energy project through a streamlined procurement process via School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR).
System Facts: New Solar Array on the Rocklin Campus
- Total number of solar panels: 5,346
- Total number of shaded parking spaces: Approximately 600
- System size: 1,978 Kilowatts
- 20-yr utility savings expected: $2.6M
- Percent of Rocklin Campus electricity consumption met: 60% to 65%
SPURR is a Joint-Powers Authority formed to seek reduction and control of utility rates on behalf of its members and other program participants. SPURR membership is open to all California public K-12 school districts, county offices of education, and community college districts. SPURR is governed by a Board of Directors who are management-level employees of member organizations. SPURR programs include procurement of solar and energy storage, natural gas, electricity, LED lights and controls, utilities data management and conservation services, electricity demand response, and telecommunications and networking goods and services.
About Sierra College
Sierra College District is rising to meet the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3200 square miles of Northern CA with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. In addition to offering 126 degrees and certificates, Sierra College offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.