Colorado State University and its partner, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, have completed one of the largest solar plants at a U.S. university, CSU official said today.
The 5.3-megawatt solar plant began producing electricity in December. The plant will provide one-third of electricity needs on the university’s Foothills Campus, about 3 miles west of the main campus. Fotowatio Renewable Ventures built the project in two phases on 30 acres, with the second phase complete at the end of 2010.
The project is one of the largest at a U.S. university, according to the most recent statistics compiled by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The plant will reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by more than 6 million kilograms — the equivalent of removing more than 520 cars from the road each year.
“This is a practical example of our commitment to renewable energy and the public-private partnerships that are crucial to making these projects successful,” said CSU president Tony Frank.
The project, part of the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards program, received a rebate to offset construction costs.
