Tuesday, January 13, 2009

GOV RITTER DEDICATES NEW SOLAR SYSTEM AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-PUEBLO


 
Gov. Ritter today celebrated the opening a new solar system, one of the nation's largest at an educational institution, at Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU).  This was a joint project between CSU-Pueblo, BP Solar and Black Hills Energy and will provide more than 10 percent of CSU-Pueblo's future power needs, or roughly enough electricity to supply 225 homes.
 
"This project is an excellent example of how the New Energy Economy leverages private and public partnerships in developing clean energy projects.  Most importantly, it will help the university control its long-term energy costs and direct those funds back into the classroom," said Gov. Ritter.
 
The CSU-Pueblo solar facility will abate approximately 1,600 tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent of removing 330 cars from the area roads, or more than 4 million vehicle miles traveled.   The solar array covers some three acres with 6,800 photovoltaic panels and is capable of generating approximately one megawatt of electricity.
 
BP Solar installed and will operate and maintain the system, selling the zero-carbon electricity to the university. Project funding was provided by Black Hills Energy, CSU-Pueblo's local electric utility company, as part of its solar rebate program. Black Hills Energy will also purchase from BP Solar the renewable energy credits created by the project.