Mar 20 2010
A joint announcement was made by SolFocus and Victor Valley College that a 1-MW high CPV (concentrator photovoltaic) facility will be installed for the latter at Victorville in California. The micro-generating solar facility at the Victor Valley College will be capable of generating 2.5 million kWh per annum, which is enough to meet about 30% of the electricity needs of the college. The system comprises 122 numbers of 8.4 kW arrays. The plant is located on the main campus of the college and the construction is underway. It is scheduled to be completed in May 2010 and in North America it will be biggest of its kind.
Dr. Robert Silverman, President of Victor Valley College, said SolFocus was selected as the solar provider after considering several options. This project will serve as a good example for other universities and colleges in meeting their electricity needs in an environmentally friendly way and also create green jobs, Dr. Silverman added.
Funding for education is inadequate in recent times and Victor Valley College has adopted this innovative solution to achieve three main goals: to reduce electricity costs, to augment its revenue from other sources, and to create training opportunities for its students for high-salaried jobs in the new green energy economy. In addition to other capital funds, Measure JJ capital construction bond provided part financing for the project. The college will also receive approximately $4 million through incentives over a period of five years as part of CSI (California Solar Initiative) program.
To endorse the green job initiatives advocated by US President Barack Obama, SolFocus will provide support to college for its curriculum development related to advanced solar power technology.
Source: www.solfocus.com