KGTV / ABC News: "USD Activates New Solar Panel System"

(November 16, 2010) - The University of San Diego is now one of the greenest college campuses in the nation after the university adapted a new solar energy system on Tuesday.

The system is expected to provide 15 percent of the university's energy needs and uses 5,200 solar panels on the roofs of 11 buildings on campus.

Installing that many panels would cost about $6 million, but USD entered into an agreement with AM Solar, who actually owns the system.

"Not one penny was spent by USD to make this happen," said Len Hering, the university's vice president of Business Services and Administration.

Instead, USD rents the roof space to AM Solar and buys power from them.

We assemble it. We own it," said AM Solar managing partner Joshua Weinstein. "We monitor it, we clean the panels, we keep it running, and all the university does is buy inexpensive solar power from us."

USD is now the 10th largest solar producer of any university in the nation and second largest among private colleges. The university estimates its power bills will be reduced by about $100,000 a year.

"This is a way to educate," said USD President Mary E. Lyons. "It's not just about saving and doing something good for ourselves… good for our community. It's also about giving our students a way to model conservation going forward."

Students who talked to 10News seemed to like the idea.

"I think it's great our university is being an example," said student Erick Koon.

Student Sara Wickham agrees.

"I think it's really good to make a pledge to solar energy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil," she said.

Student Zamequa Lopez said, "I think it's a step forward."

USD is also addressing energy use through conservation, evaluating the efficiency of systems such as heating and air conditioning, using insulation, and using more energy-saving devices. University officials believe they can reduce energy use by 20 to 25 percent.

http://www.10news.com/news/25819190/detail.html