For immediate release: March 28, 2002
Media Contact: Rob Schlichting - 916-654-4989
State University to Produce Its Own Electricity With Help of State Loan
Sonoma State University will soon begin making its own "green"
electricity from the sun, thanks to a $157,500 low-interest loan from
the California Energy Commission.
The loan will enable Sonoma State to install a rooftop photovoltaic (PV)
system that will generate 68 kilowatts of electricity from the sun. The
new system will not only produce "green" renewable power, but its PV
roof tiles will also help reduce the cooling needs of the Rubin Salazar
Building on which they will be installed. As a result of the new
installation, the university can expect to save $17,500 a year on its
electricity bill.
From the energy savings alone, Sonoma State can repay the State loan in
nine years.
This will be the first producing renewable power installation on the
Sonoma State campus. The Rubin Salazar Building houses 16 classrooms,
electronic technology workshops, and offices. Sonoma State University,
located in Rohnert Park, has an enrollment of more than 7,200 full-time
students.
Funding for the project comes from the Energy Commission's Energy
Conservation Assistance Act account. The program provides low-interest
loans to local governments, public and private non-profit schools and
hospitals, public care institutions and other agencies for energy
efficiency and energy producing projects.
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