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College to Save $150M By Going "Grid Positive"

greenbiz.com -- Butte College in Northern California will begin generating more renewable energy next year than it uses, saving the school an estimated $150 million over the next 30 years.

The Butte College Board of Trustees gave the campus the go-ahead to finish a major solar energy project next year that will push the school's generating capacity to 4.55 megawatts (DC)..

Roughly 15,000 photovoltaic panels will cover parking spaces and roofs to generate the green power..in addition to 10,000 existing solar panels that now generate 1.85 MW..will make Butte College the only college in the U.S. that produces more solar energy on-site than it uses.

The project will ..provide job training to students. The school also offers coursework in green building, solar hot water installation, and energy fundam

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Submitted Sep 06, 2010 By: teafortwo

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1006 All-Star Author Birmingham Posts:929 Points:1,027,495 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 5:42:46 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse good for them. Is this really productive? [Edited by: 1006 at 9/8/2010 6:44:11 AM EST]
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,259 Points:1,141,225 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 5:57:01 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse best way to teach the next generation? Show them a positive example that puts money back into the students' pockets (by keeping operating costs low, tuition will be lower).
vandamme Champion Author New York Posts:1,018 Points:117,800 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:09:58 AM Ignore vandamme Report Abuse "..and this has what to do with the price of fuel or cars ? " Saves oil so you can put it in your snowmobile.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:4,696 Points:1,654,720 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 7:31:17 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Other colleges, take note!
gasforus Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,771 Points:1,726,540 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 6:34:42 AM Ignore gasforus Report Abuse Old news yesterday!
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:15,237 Points:2,161,995 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 6:15:08 AM Ignore RogerB Report Abuse >> Do these panels last forever? Esp in the weather and outdoors.If they wear out in 10-15yrs,you would never get your money back. They last much longed than that, at least 30 - 40 yrs. The greatest thing is, however - that no fuel is being burned! This would be great in places like Hawaii where most Electricity comes from fuel oil!
SAVEITIL Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,935 Points:702,540 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:37:53 AM Ignore SAVEITIL Report Abuse Just bring college costs down.
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:4,832 Points:757,825 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:14:28 AM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse Who cares about money any more. Obama will have the mint print more of it.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:6,170 Points:1,850,265 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:07:35 AM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse This is a lot of money.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,771 Points:1,165,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:04:49 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse So will they pay back the 12 million they got from the feds to put the system in?
abfpat Champion Author Illinois Posts:25,863 Points:3,850,670 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:02:52 AM Ignore abfpat Report Abuse 150 Million? WOW
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:187,000 Points:1,119,100 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:00:33 AM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse good work.!!!!
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:3,298 Points:1,099,495 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:54:43 AM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse ..and this has what to do with the price of fuel or cars ?
NOTSOGRN Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,281 Points:1,082,720 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:49:30 AM Ignore NOTSOGRN Report Abuse To GRN to be true but, in a state thats short on power they should make a buck if can over produce.
Jeannemarie Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:26,922 Points:1,944,585 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:46:07 AM Ignore Jeannemarie Report Abuse We have a solar panel thing at UNLV and the new buildings they are putting up at Nevada State College are getting them as well. Go, go, go Rebels.
ex911 Champion Author San Jose Posts:6,844 Points:1,339,770 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:34:43 AM Ignore ex911 Report Abuse hope more institutions sit up and take notice, that'll free up the grid for all the plug-in electric vehicles coming up
Scotty99QC Veteran Author Montreal Posts:275 Points:74,950 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:33:45 AM Ignore Scotty99QC Report Abuse Another enegy source , GOOD!
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:6,711 Points:1,323,540 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:26:11 AM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse More schools and businesses need to do the same
jadeusa Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,890 Points:1,369,910 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:21:35 AM Ignore jadeusa Report Abuse Sounds like "smoke and mirrors" according to the article.
Gerg001 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:2,517 Points:908,495 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:20:59 AM Ignore Gerg001 Report Abuse More schools could do the same.
genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,611 Points:834,680 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:19:25 AM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse Good for Butte College. The plan seems a little ambitious, if they can pull it off, they will be leaders in green technology.
LostToo Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,115 Points:715,605 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:16:55 AM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse The numbers are smoky the idea is ok but I find the info to be flawed.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:4,373 Points:895,100 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:14:54 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse A lot of money up front and it sounds great. It will be interesting in a few years to see if it really saved money.
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,265 Points:1,303,335 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:10:32 AM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse They have cheap labor for this and on hand training. Smart, VERY SMART.
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:5,986 Points:1,232,185 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:09:06 AM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse Good business decision. Did not involve millionaires in washington either.
TXGasPriceSpy Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:5,317 Points:1,009,275 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:05:12 AM Ignore TXGasPriceSpy Report Abuse Smart!!!
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,206 Points:1,233,480 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:57:22 PM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse Good for them!
CRAZYEDDIE2010 Veteran Author Ontario Posts:294 Points:204,185 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:54:12 PM Ignore CRAZYEDDIE2010 Report Abuse GOOD ON YA!!!!!!!!!!!
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:12,310 Points:1,172,725 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:53:34 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse Haha, better they produce electricity because no one of any import graduates from old Butte U. It's way up on Northern Edge of California. Maybe lumberjacks go to that school.
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:4,307 Points:1,009,680 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:50:59 PM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse Thsi is great news.
esorsd Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,493 Points:1,184,765 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:49:04 PM Ignore esorsd Report Abuse Good for them.
jackson661 Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,781 Points:1,046,175 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:49:02 PM Ignore jackson661 Report Abuse Saving money..creating jobs..renewable energy..win..win
RedRam2005 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,696 Points:1,057,210 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:44:23 PM Ignore RedRam2005 Report Abuse Is that saving after paying for the panels or are the panels free?
aldog365 Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,140 Points:1,557,660 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:43:17 PM Ignore aldog365 Report Abuse Do these panels last forever? Esp in the weather and outdoors.If they wear out in 10-15yrs,you would never get your money back.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:21,163 Points:2,639,270 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:40:54 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse wow, 17 million is a big investment - will be interesting to see if their 30 year figures pan out.
idigau22 Champion Author Washington Posts:20,212 Points:2,804,100 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:36:53 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse OK
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:7,334 Points:1,437,635 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:36:12 PM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse it is a great idea
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:6,045 Points:1,815,440 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:32:55 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Nice laboratory program that also saves the College money. Let hear the real numbers when the project is completed
JoseM All-Star Author San Bernardino Posts:890 Points:605,010 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:32:36 PM Ignore JoseM Report Abuse Sound like a hard number to hit, hope they do it.
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,420 Points:1,212,705 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:28:45 PM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse let's see the real numbers when it goes online
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:7,570 Points:1,320,880 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:25:38 PM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse curious to see the actual 15 year return on investment
Eichhornchen Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,772 Points:747,390 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:24:32 PM Ignore Eichhornchen Report Abuse Interesting, generating more than it uses
runout9 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,139 Points:957,625 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:23:38 PM Ignore runout9 Report Abuse Totally irrelevant to this forum.
ACTown Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,854 Points:1,119,590 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:23:15 PM Ignore ACTown Report Abuse Great idea for all to do.
Sisu58 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:830 Points:184,210 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:15:54 PM Ignore Sisu58 Report Abuse Spending 17 million, plus the low interest rate/length of loan)? Saving 150 million minus the total cost of the project and loan = ballpark figure maybe $132 million saved? Without details, but it sounds like a good deal.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:267,902 Points:1,200,750 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:15:14 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... Are they going to recharge the staff's vehicles when parked? ...
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:6,156 Points:1,224,540 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:12:42 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse This should be an interesting test for viability for other institutions around the country.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:3,540 Points:389,685 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:11:27 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Now here is a school that is settimg you up for a future job in the energy field. Nothing better than hands-on experience. Not to say that book-learning is not important. However, I could do without the art,geography, history of the world & such.
chocolateflash Champion Author San Diego Posts:12,345 Points:2,223,145 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:11:23 PM Ignore chocolateflash Report Abuse Butte County, where Butte Community College is located, is a VERY rural area, primarily rice paddies and some almond orchards. Having lived in Butte City for five years I can honestly say that anything that Butte College does is better than what it's doing now. Using solar power--more power to it(little pun there). Now if they could eliminate the area as the mosquito capital of the world, that would be something useful.
CumminsFanOH Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,670 Points:827,990 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2010 11:10:47 PM Ignore CumminsFanOH Report Abuse Is this a wild optimistic guess?