May 25, 2004

Glendale, CA, USA: Community College Set to Proceed with 400 kilowatt PV System

The Glendale City Council recently approved the Glendale Water & Power-Glendale Community College Green Energy Partnership proposal to proceed with construction of a split-level parking structure this year. It will include the installation of a 400 kilowatt solar photovoltaic carport on the open fourth and sixth floors of the new parking structure at a cost $2.8 million.

The solar system is expected to generate an average 580,000 kWh a year for 30 years or more, which is enough to power approximately 250 homes or 10% of the power needed by the College Campus on Verdugo Road. The solar photovoltaic system and all power generated will be owned by Glendale Water & Power. In exchange for a 50-year lease at one dollar per year for site placement, and as GWP property GWP would maintain the working order of the system.

The details and structure of a forthcoming Request for Bid for installation of the PV system have still to be determined. It is expected to be released in a few months, following agreement on terms between Glendale Water & Power and Glendale Community College, all in time to allow installation of the system around January 2005. Glendale Water & Power will provide the funding for the project.

The solar system will be part of GWP's goal of providing 20% of power from renewable sources by the year 2017. The solar system increases the reliability of Glendale's electric system by providing electricity locally and the added benefit of providing power during the time of day when the need for electricity is greatest.

In addition, the GWP-GCC project provides $500,000 in assistance for the installation of a new $2.3 million energy efficient chiller plant. The new high efficiency chiller plant will provide service to five existing buildings on campus currently cooled with high maintenance, energy inefficient package units. The new plant will reduce annual GCC electric costs by an estimated $43,000 and maintenance bills by $122,000 for 15 years or more. The power reduced at GCC is then available to manage the growing need for power by the Glendale Community and offset the need for building expensive power plants.

Over the past three years, GWP has been working with GCC on the Science Center Complex at the college. The center incorporates state-of-the-art energy and renewable energy technologies in its construction, as well as stand-alone energy conservation and renewable energy demonstrations in public areas.