The oldest community college in California is stepping into the future to test out a 1-MW carport solar energy project intended to cut emissions and save money on utility electricity costs for the campus.
ForeFront Power has completed the solar canopy system at Fullerton College. The on-campus photovoltaic array, which was installed atop student parking lot 5 next to Sherbeck Field, is expected to save close to $6 million in energy costs over the 20-year lifespan of the project.
The solar carport system will generate 1.8 million kWh of renewable energy, enough to power the annual electricity use of over 300 homes. The energy output will offset roughly 19 percent of the college’s electrical consumption.
In addition, the carbon-free energy generation should help Fullerton College avoid 1,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, according to the news release. The CO2 avoided each year will equal the amount of carbon sequestered by over 900 acres of U.S. forests in a year.
“After over a century of being in operation, Fullerton College is moving into the future by implementing clean energy solutions that will allow us to reliably produce clean energy, reduce harmful emissions, and reinvest energy savings into student success,” said Cynthia Olivo, President of Fullerton College, in a statement. “What better time than during Earth Week to reaffirm our responsibility to the planet and future generations.”
The Fullerton College array is a pilot solar project for North Orange County Community College District to help demonstrate the role of solar to benefit other campuses in the district. The North Orange County Community College District includes both Fullerton and Cypress campuses.
The project is the culmination of an initial Solar Feasibility Study completed in 2021, which helped the college identify the project site, as well as implement the 2023-2026 Campus Sustainability Plan, which approved the development of the Student Lot 5 solar carport project through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ForeFront Power.
As per the terms of the PPA, ForeFront Power developed, owns and maintains the solar energy portfolio and is charging the college a fixed, lower rate as compared to the utility for electricity for the 20-year duration of the agreement.
“As a trusted renewable energy partner to California schools, ForeFront Power is honored to have the opportunity to help Fullerton College kick off the beginning of a decades-long journey towards transitioning to clean, renewable energy,” said Nate Smith Ide, Senior Manager at ForeFront Power. “By making clean energy more accessible and simplifying the procurement process, we’re helping schools like Fullerton College lead the way for other public institutions across California and beyond.”
Fullerton College was established in 1913 and has operated continuously since then. The school educates about 21,000 students per year and in recent years the student body is more than 50% Hispanic.
Among the school’s alumni are “Titanic” director James Cameron, radio and television actor William Conrad and pop music singer Gwen Stefani.
Developer ForeFront Power has installed numerous on-site renewable energy projects at schools, municipal facilities and businesses across the U.S.
