Breaking News - Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation

AWC to Lead Way on Solar Energy

Mar. 3rd, 2010

Could Yuma become a center of solar energy technology? It's possible and Arizona Western College apparently plans to be a key player in making that happen. The local community college announced this week that it will be the site of a huge array of solar panels, making it the largest solar energy site at any college in the nation. While many will praise their effort to use alternative renewable energy - and to lower AWC's energy costs over time - the project is really about something even more important. It is about being an education leader. "The greatest thing is AWC can be the world's leader in solar technology curriculum," said Bill Smith, AWC director of facilities planning and management. "We'll provide information and send our students out in the world, making us the poster child for solar technology." The project, which is being undertaken in cooperation with Arizona Public Service and PPA Partners Inc., will actually be a testing ground for the viability of various solar energy approaches. Five different solar system types will be put in place. The vision is for AWC - and by extension, Yuma - to become a center for research, development and education in solar energy. Our area provides a perfect environment for solar generation due to its average of 354 days of sun each year. In addition to the education potential, the economic potential is also significant. For example, while the solar facility is being built this year it is expected to employ 200 people. That could be only the beginning as related solar industry is drawn to the community. In some ways the central role Yuma would take in solar energy is reminiscent of the role our area has also played in agricultural research and development over the years, a role that is perhaps not as high profile as solar energy is currently, but which is nevertheless important. We have suggested over the years that Yuma ought to be at the center of the solar energy movement, and it now appears we are headed in that direction.

The Sun
Mar. 3rd, 2010

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