In a significant step towards sustainability, Fullerton College recently unveiled its first-ever solar panel installation during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a milestone for the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD). The project is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between the college, SPURR, and ForeFront Power, which developed, constructed, and will maintain the solar project at no upfront cost to the district.
This project is the first of its kind for NOCCCD. It is anticipated to generate approximately 1.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy per year (enough to power the annual electricity use of over 300 homes), saving 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. This output is significant enough to offset around 19% of the college’s electrical consumption, resulting in projected energy cost savings of nearly $6 million over the next two decades.
Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President of Fullerton College, emphasized the importance of this project in moving towards clean energy and minimizing carbon emissions, showcasing the college’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
“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[.] What better time than during Earth Week to reaffirm our responsibility to the planet and future generations.”
– Solar Power World
This project not only represents a significant move towards Fullerton College’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy but also sets a precedent for sustainability across the district. The project also aligns with the goals of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, which aims to have all California community colleges use 100% renewable energy by 2035. Utilizing a power purchase agreement (PPA) with ForeFront Power, the project comes at no upfront cost to the college, allowing it to benefit from lower, fixed electricity rates while protecting it against future utility increases.
This collaboration was made possible by SPURR’s Renewable Energy Aggregated Procurement Program (REAP), which enables public agencies in California to obtain pre-negotiated pricing for solar energy and storage solutions. ForeFront Power was selected after a competitive process through SPURR’s REAP Program, which provides public sector buyers with pre-negotiated contracts, competitive pricing, and standardized terms to ensure successful project implementation.
To learn more about SPURR’s REAP Program, click here.