The largest photovoltaic installation on campus is now functional, furthering Palomar\u2019s commitment to energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
SAN MARCOS \u2014 In yet another bold step toward sustainability, Palomar College activated the largest solar energy system on the San Marcos campus in late July, adding 442 kW to the college\u2019s energy-generating capacity.<\/p>\n
The system was built on the top level of the four-story parking structure in late 2019, with galvanized steel canopies that also provide shade across 186 parking spaces, illuminate the top level with LED lights at night, and are designed to last at least 25 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cReducing our carbon footprint is a top priority for Palomar College, and this project is yet another example of our commitment to developing a sustainable campus in our community,\u201d said Interim Superintendent\/President Dr. Jack Kahn.<\/p>\n
Dennis Astl, Manager of Construction & Facilities Planning, said the new system joins major solar installations atop the Library\/LRC, Multidisciplinary (MD), Humanities and Health Sciences (HS) buildings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you combine all of those, we\u2019re pretty much at 1 megawatt\u201d of solar generation capacity, which is the limit set by SDG&E, Astl explained.<\/p>\n
Each of Palomar\u2019s four major sites has significant solar arrays: In Rancho Bernardo, the 619 kW system is the district\u2019s largest. At the Fallbrook Education Center, a system now under construction will yield 161 kW, enough to make the entire center at its current size net-zero, producing at least as much electricity as it consumes.<\/p>\n
Astl said SDG&E recently approved the addition of electric vehicle charging stations at the Fallbrook center.<\/p>\n
In the midst of the ongoing closures due to COVID-19, Astl said the campus is obviously using far less energy than usual.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe energy usage should be down at all the campuses by a significant amount, and all of this solar should be offsetting most, if not all, of what we\u2019re using right now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"