California college is “grid positive”
OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA - A California college says it is set to become the nation's only grid-positive college, producing more energy from its own on-site solar power than it uses.
Butte College in Oroville, Calif., will add 15,000 solar panels to its existing 10,000 by May 2011 to become the largest solar-producing college in the world, a college release said.
"Once this solar project is completed, Butte College will provide enough clean renewable energy to cover all of our electricity needs and generate slightly more than we use - which will be a source of additional revenue for the college," Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College President, said.
The school's solar panels will generate more than 6.3 million kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power more than 9.200 average-sized homes, the release said.
The 15,000 new solar panels will be placed atop rooftops and will create covered parking areas and walkways.
The project will cost $17 million, with $12.65 million coming from federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, which are low-interest loans that can be used for clean energy projects.
The college will fund the remainder, up to $4.35 million.
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Transformer fire downs power in four University of Kentucky buildings, facilities closed
LEXINGTON, KY - Four University of Kentucky buildings will be closed due to a Thursday morning transformer fire.
A transformer in Bowman Hall caught fire resulting in power outages in Bowman and other buildings on Rose Street, a University of Kentucky press release said.
According to the press release, the fire was contained to the basement of Bowman Hall. Though the fire was contained, power outages are still an issue on campus.
Along with Bowman, Breckinridge, Kincaid and Bradley halls are also without power and will remain closed until Monday.
"There were no injuries in the fire, nor has there been any significant structural…
