AWC Solar Array Groundbreaking Ceremony
Join Arizona Western College in a groundbreaking ceremony for an innovative 5 MW Solar Array to be completed Fall 2011.
This first-of-its-kind array is a landmark project for AWC, Yuma, and Arizona.
Date:
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Location:
Arizona Western College
24th Street Entrance, P1 Parking Lot
Yuma, AZ
Agenda:
7:45 Media Registration
8:15 Ceremony
8:45 Breakfast Reception with Vendor Demonstrations, Schoening Conference Center, 3C
This 5 MW array will generate virtually 100% of the college’s daytime electricity needs and will serve as a world-class research and testing site for government and corporate application. Educational and workforce training opportunities for students from Elementary to University will enhance our community and support ongoing economic development.
Why Solar?
According to the “Guinness Book of World Records”, Yuma, Arizona is the sunniest place on earth. This, along with ample land and access to west coast markets makes Yuma the best place to install the single largest solar array on any U.S. college or university campus.
Combined with the existing rooftop array on the AWC Agriculture and Science building, the total solar installation at the college will be 5 megawatts, and will generate enough energy to cover virtually 100% of the college’s daytime energy needs.
The new 4.995 megawatt array will serve as a foundation for local education and workforce development in renewable energy technology and engineering. The main array will be joined by multiple testing and demonstration sites for manufacturers from around the world to test their latest products.
Array Characteristics
- Energy Generation, Education, Research and Innovation
- Multiple Photovoltaic Technologies, including
- High Concentration
- Low Concentration
- Mono Crystalline
- Poly Crystalline
- Thin Film
- Single and dual axis tracking
- State-of-the-art metering and inverter technology
- Private test beds
- Level playing field – consistent test platform
Curriculum
Currently in place:
- First Installer Class graduated Spring 2011
- Green technology embedded curriculum in science, engineering, and career and technical programs
- AWC is working with local high schools and the local workforce development organization to deliver a weatherization program
Planned:
- Cutting edge solar technology curriculum that will include the campus PV array and testing facilities as learning laboratories
- Certificates and degrees in solar technology and solar installation are currently under development with additional classes anticipated to begin spring 2011
- Associate in science degree in renewable energy with transfer pathways to the baccalaureate degree beginning fall 2011
Campus Map with Planned Solar Deployment
Planned solar deployments in orange.
Existing Rooftop Array
- 105.6 kilowatts
- Located on the roof of the AWC Ag & Science Complex
- Data available online, used by K-12 educators around the region
- Photo album here
Download the Solar Array Information Sheet
For more information:
Technical Questions:
Bill Smith, Director of Facilities Management and Planning
928-314-9472
Media Requests and Tours:
Lori Stofft, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
928-314-9595
Project Partners:
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