Schneider Adds Solar to $9.5M College Energy Efficiency Project

May 5, 2015
Schneider Electric plans to install solar panels at Columbia Basin College, in the third phase of a college energy efficiency project that includes $9.5 mllion in improvements.

Schneider Electric plans to install solar panels at Columbia Basin College, in the third phase of a college energy efficiency project that includes $9.5 mllion in improvements.

Using a $765,188 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce, Schneider Electric is installing 100-kW photovoltaic solar arrays on a college business building. The panels will contribute to the institution’s annual energy and operational cost savings of more than $224,000 annually.  In addition, the college is expected to receive utility rebates in excess of $185,000.

In March 2014, the Washington State Department of Commerce awarded 45 public entities $14 million in grant funds, helping to leverage an additional $35 million in non-state funds for energy saving and solar projects. The immediate goal of the Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants program is to help stimulate Washington’s economy by creating jobs. Longer-term goals include reducing energy costs at the state’s public higher education institutions, local government facilities and state agencies.

Columbia Basin College’s three-phased, $9.5 million initiative spans over 20 facilities and incorporates a variety of energy efficiency upgrades to enhance classroom and building comfort, while reducing energy consumption through:

  • Lighting retrofits and occupancy controls
  • Intelligent building automation system
  • Animated sign replacement
  • Photovoltaic solar array installation and integration with energy metering system
  • HVAC replacements and upgrades
  • Heating system decentralization
  • Chiller plant optimization
  • Campus-wide energy metering system and monitoring-based commissioning
  • Underground piping replacement

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About the Author

Kevin Normandeau | Publisher

Kevin is a veteran of the publishing industry having worked for brands like PC World, AOL, Network World, Data Center Knowledge and other business to business sites. He focuses on industry trends in the energy efficiency industry.

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