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California State University,
Fresno was awarded a 2008 state energy Efficiency Partnership Best
Practices Award for the university’s solar photovoltaic and shaded
parking project, designed to generate about 20 percent of campus
electricity demand.
The project – a partnership with the Chevron Energy Solutions division
of Chevron (NYSE: CVX) – provides the first sheltered parking at Fresno
State, protecting more than 700 student vehicles from the elements,
while generating electricity. It was completed in fall 2007.
The award in the Renewables/Innovative Energy Generation or Procurement
category was bestowed by a partnership composed of the 23-campus
California State University, the 10-campus University of California and
the 109-school California Community Colleges system.
The 1.1-megawatt solar system ¬ the largest photovoltaic-paneled parking
installation at a U.S. university is expected to save Fresno State more
than $13 million in avoided utility costs over its 30-year lifespan. The
$11.9 million project cost was partially offset by a $2.8 million rebate
administered by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. under the Self-Generation
Incentive Program.
Ten carport-like structures are topped by 3,872 photovoltaic panels that
generate more than 1.5 million kilowatt hours of power annually. The
Fresno State solar system offsets about 950 metric tons of carbon
dioxide emissions — equivalent to planting more than 24,300 trees or
removing more than 200 cars from the road every year.
At the dedication ceremony in November, university President John D.
Welty noted the project was “just one of the university’s ‘green campus’
initiatives.”
“We live in a world of finite natural resources,” he added. “As more of
us inhabit the planet, it’s imperative that communities rise to the
environmental challenges that confront them.”
Fresno State is in the final stages of developing a new comprehensive
campus master plan that includes numerous sustainability and
environment-friendly initiatives for campus expansion that will meet the
demands of increased enrollment. The university also has created a new
administrative division that will monitor sustainability efforts and
help develop “green campus” programs.
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