Humboldt State jumped on board the solar energy bandwagon and will be hiring students to help lead HSU in the push for renewable energy.
Joining in a CSU project that marries solar energy provider SunEdison with the university system, HSU will offset thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 49,000 cars from the road.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said last week an agreement between the California Department of General Services and the California State University system will allow for new solar energy power to be implemented on 15 of the 23 participating CSU campuses.
The project is expected to deliver approximately 12.2 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy to the state in their first year of operation, equal to the annual energy consumption of 1,256 households. Here at HSU, the energy will consist primarily of commercial-sized solar panels on the roof of the Library, as well as a demonstration panel on the roof of the Old Music Building.
Demonstration panels are not considered to be serious means of energy production, but rather a way to educate students and the community about the benefits of solar panels as a renewable energy source.
The plan would allow the university to purchase the energy produced from the state and use it freely. The power-purchase agreement allows CSU to buy renewable power at or below current retail rates, while in exchange avoiding the cost of installing the system.It also requires that SunEdison hire 2-5 current HSU students to work on the panels.
The student fee-financed Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) will conduct initial screening for the internship, after which a final decision will be made sometime this year.
"California's continued economic, environmental and social prosperity depends on sustainable energy and technology," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.
"As the nation's largest university system, the CSU welcomes this opportunity to lead the way."
Plant Operations cited the prime location at the Library, which has minimal shade block from trees or adjacent buildings to go with a flat roof that creates a safe working environment. Both sets of panels have a 25-year projected life period.
Tim Moxon, director of HSU Plant Operations, said the roof panels will offset a significant amount of carbon dioxide generated by the burning of fossil fuels. The university can expect to save $36,000 a year in energy costs.
Moxon said construction is expected to begin in a few months. "This is an outstanding proposal partnering students, contractors and the university," he said.
Working together to reduce our carbon footprint is nothing new for the CSU system. According to the Chancellor's Office, CSU generates 20 percent of its electricity from green sources. The new partnership will raise that total to 25 percent.
Under the agreement, SunEdison will finance, build, operate and maintain the solar panels for 20 years. The panels will be the first large-scale solar energy project at HSU.
With small demonstration panels in place at the Telonicher Marine Laboratory in Trinidad and the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, HSU appears ready for a more serious look at solar power.
"Eight megawatts of affordable renewable energy is a good deal for both the CSU and the planet," said Len Pettis, Chief Plant Energy and Utilities for the CSU Chancellor's Office.
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