Aug. 22, 2005: Colleges Install Solar Electric, Cogeneration Systems
LOS ALTOS HILLS, Calif. - The Foothill-De Anza Community College District announced that it has completed the installation of more than 780 kilowatts of solar electric and cogeneration systems at both Foothill and De Anza colleges. Along with prior improvements to lighting, air conditioning, and energy management systems, the installations are expected to reduce the district's electricity purchases by 46 percent - more than 11 million kilowatt-hours annually - and save the district about $800,000 a year.
The projects, which are funded in part from the energy savings they create, reduce the district's operating costs while lowering demand for power from the local utility, which in turn benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The district's reduction in purchased power from the local utility translates to avoided local carbon dioxide emissions of more than 14 million pounds per year, equivalent to planting more than 2,000 acres of trees.