Central Oregon Community College Redmond Campus Will Now Be 90% Solar Powered
Dublin, OH, October 24, 2016 – Installation of Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) half megawatt solar array at the school’s Redmond campus is now complete.
The array comes ten years following approval of a student referendum to increase student fees to purchase clean energy from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program and bring more awareness about sustainable energy to the community. The new solar array underscores COCC’s efforts to increase sustainability efforts and is expected to meet 90 percent of the annual energy needs for the Redmond campus.
Four newly-installed kiosks at the school will display real-time solar energy generation, highlighting equivalent environmental benefits such as gallons of gasoline saved, trees planted, and pounds of carbon dioxide emissions reduced. The kiosks will serve as a learning tool for students enrolled in clean energy education programs and points of interest for public tours of the facility.
“Central Oregon Community College continues to be a leader in the clean energy movement,” said Dr. Shirley I. Metcalf, president of COCC. “Our students were the first in the nation to vote to purchase renewable energy and we are now proud to be operating one of the largest solar arrays in the state. It is a commitment of our Board and of our College to be good stewards of our resources,” she said.
COCC partnered with Ohio-based IGS Solar, a turn-key commercial and residential solar provider, to finance the array, and Sunlight Solar Energy Inc. of Bend for the installation. Patrick Smith, vice president of IGS Solar said, “We’re glad to help bring solar energy to COCC’s Redmond campus, and support them in their mission to better control their long-term energy costs.”
The solar array, which is located next to Building 3 in the northeast corner of the campus, will go live during a public ceremony to be held on Thursday, October 27. Community members are invited to tour the site at 2030 SE College Loop. Light beverages and snacks will be provided.
About IGS Solar
IGS Solar, a turn-key commercial and residential solar provider with over $100 million in solar assets under development, provides homes, businesses, and communities with an opportunity to participate in creating a sustainable energy future with no upfront investment. As an affiliate of IGS Energy, IGS Solar is dedicated to delivering innovative solar energy solutions. For more information, call (866) 801-9928 or visit IGSsolarpower.com. Connect with IGS Solar at linkedin.com/company/igs-solar.
About Central Oregon Community College
Central Oregon Community College, the oldest two-year college in Oregon, provides comprehensive college services to the residents of its 10,000-square-mile district. The College's main campus is located on the western edge of Bend. The Redmond Campus is located 20 miles north on 25 acres near the Redmond Municipal Airport.
About Sunlight Solar Energy Inc.
Sunlight Solar Energy Inc. is a 25 year old local company specializing in the installation of residential and commercial solar electric systems with offices in Bend and Portland. The company is dedicated to educating its customers and empowering them to make intelligent buying decisions. For more information regarding Sunlight Solar Energy Inc. visit their website at www.sunlightsolar.com or call 541-322-1910.