SIPI Array Latest In Earth-Saving Moves

While other agencies talk about their newly found “greenness” in renewable energy efforts, one institution is quietly putting energy- and earth-saving beliefs into practice.

The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute recently debuted its new solar electric photovoltaic array, now the state’s largest, on the roof of its gymnasium at the West Side campus off of Coors. The array will produce about 70,000 watts of power that will go directly into the school’s power system.

The $1.1 million project was a collaborative effort by SIPI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Sacred Power Corp., an American Indian- owned solar integration company located within the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. SIPI is a National Indian Community College and Land Grant Institution serving American Indian and Alaskan Native students.

The array and the power it generates will fit nicely into the two- year college’s other sustainable energy systems. Sacred Power has designed several other state-of-the-art solar systems on campus. SIPI has a solar hot water heating system, a small photovoltaic system hooked up to the new child-care facility, a solar hot air system and a tracking solar carport at the Science and Technology building.

SIPI also offers two sustainable energy classes, and the array will allow students to collect data on the new system to see if solar arrays are a good fit for other BIA buildings and if they are cost-effective. Many of SIPI’s students come from reservations where there is no access to power, so the array also offers the possibility of bringing power to areas without it.

“Not only is SIPI walking the talk, but there is added value in knowing they have created a renewable energy campus that directly contributes to the preservation of Mother Earth,” said David Melton, a Laguna tribal member and CEO of Sacred Power.

We couldn’t say it any better.

SIPI, the BIA and Sacred Power are to be commended for doing their part to reduce consumption of nonrenewable energy sources and for protecting the earth’s bountiful resources for coming generations.

(c) 2008 Albuquerque Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.