SunPower Corp is to supply the University of California, Santa Barbara with 5.2MWdc of solar power on rooftops and in parking lots on the university’s campus.
The company will build solar power systems at six sites on campus, including two SunPower Helix rooftop systems and four solar parking canopies.
UCSB will buy the electricity produced by the systems at a competitive rate under a long-term power purchase agreement.
SunPower was awarded the contract with UCSB after a feasibility analysis and competitive process that was initiated in 2014.
Construction is expected to begin early next year, with system in operation by the end of 2016.
The university will own the renewable energy credits associated with the systems.
UCSB vice chancellor for administrative services Marc Fisher said: “We estimate the savings will be nearly $270,000 in the first year of system operations and approximately $14 million over 20 years, which will allow us to invest in additional energy saving projects.”
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