Strapped for cash and searching for creative ways to generate revenue, Victor Valley College officials are planning to partner with a private energy company to construct a $7 million solar plant on vacant campus land. The solar plant is expected to pay for itself through energy savings within five years and pump $22.1 million back into the college’s general funds over 25 years, according to estimates by the college’s program manager, Al McQuilkin of gkkworks.
“The bottom line is we want to save money,” said VVC President Robert Silverman, along with creating opportunities for students to learn about the solar industry.
The energy conservation facility, which will be built within a 10-acre vacant parcel on the far northeast side of the college’s main campus, is expected to generate about 1 megawatt of electricity per year, or roughly one-third of the college’s average electricity.
The energy savings and incentive credits will offer the college a steady source of income as the state looks to make deep cuts to close billions of dollars in shortfalls over the next several years.
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