Butte Community College Turns On New Solar System

Butte-Glenn Community College, located in Oroville, California, recently turned on its solar system — making it the second largest community college solar installation in the nation. The college also received a record $3.7 million rebate from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).

The 1.06 megawatt DC solar system includes 5,700 solar panels on a four-acre field. The new system reduces the college’s utility bills by one-third and prevents 1,238 tons of carbon dioxide, 870 pounds of nitrous oxide, and 21 pounds of sulfur dioxide from being released into the atmosphere annually.

The solar project cost $7.4 million and half of the cost was funded through PG&E’s self-generation incentive program which provides financial incentives to help pay the costs of on-site electric generating systems. The program allows utility customers installing on-site generation to obtain rebates to help offset the costs associated with either solar, wind, fuel cell, micro turbine or internal combustion engine cogeneration systems.

David Rubin, PG&E’s director of service analysis, presented a check to Butte College for $3.7 million — the largest PG&E solar rebate ever paid to a community college.

"The president, trustees and employees of Butte College have demonstrated an important lesson in the power of renewable energy and clean, on-site generation," said Rubin. "PG&E is proud to support this project that will provide environmental and financial benefit for years to come."

The college estimates it will save $300,000 annually from the solar system and the college president was eager to see the solar project materialize.

"On behalf of the Butte-Glenn Community College District, we proudly accept this incentive award from PG&E," said Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president. "The solar project represents a major win for the college and our community. Solar saves money, improves the environment, and provides a wonderful opportunity to train students on environmental stewardship and alternative energy."

Sun Power & Geothermal Energy installed the solar array which will generate 1.6 million kilowatt/hours annually. Energy produced from the system is monitored real-time by SPG and is posted to the web and an interactive kiosk on the college campus.

Butte-Glenn Community College is an accredited college, located 70 miles north of Sacramento on a 928 acre campus in Oroville, California. The college is home to over 14,500 students. Visit Butte College online: ButteCollege.com. Notable alumni include Aaron Rodgers, a 2005 NFL first round draft pick, and Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada Brewery.