Case Study: Fresno State University
Solar Parking Canopy Project

Background
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is the largest university in California’s Central Valley, serving more than 22,000 students. The university plays a critical role in the development of this region, which is undergoing rapid growth and has been dubbed the “New California.” Fresno State’s Strategic Plan includes a commitment to expand environmental awareness and implement steps to become a more sustainable campus. The California State University system recently revised its energy policy to include a goal of reducing energy consumption by 15 percent, which follows a 10 percent reduction from 2000 through 2005.

In line with the Campus Master Plan, Fresno State administrators were interested in projects to improve energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as hedge against future increases in energy costs.

Solution
In mid-2006, the California State University Board of Trustees approved the construction of a one-megawatt solar power installation at Fresno State. The $11.9 million project, consisting of 10 metal photovoltaic (PV) panel–topped canopies covering more than 700 parking spaces, is the largest installation of its kind at any university in the U.S.

Chevron Energy Solutions (CES) designed, installed and commissioned the project. In addition, CES arranged financing via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This project financial structuring enables the university to purchase electricity at a specified, competitive price over a 20-year term from a third party that owns and operates the solar installation. As a result, Fresno State is able to budget accurately for its electricity, while paying market-competitive utility costs.

CES also designed and installed four electronic information displays at the College of Engineering, the Physics Department and two other locations; the displays enable students and others to view web-based real-time data and graphical displays from the PV system. The solar project also included installation of security wiring and parking lot improvements.

To minimize the impact on campus parking, CES performed the work in phases, most of it during the summer and spring breaks.

Benefits
The new PV system, which will provide about 20 percent of the university’s annual base electrical demand, saves more than $13 million in avoided utility costs over the 30-year life of the system. This clean, renewable energy—enough to power 1,000 homes—reduces demand for electricity from the local utility and the state’s power grid, particularly during peak periods and the hot summer months. The more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of energy produced each year will offset about 950 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—equivalent to planting more than 24,300 new trees or removing more than 200 cars from the road every year.

Besides lowering the university’s energy spend, the parking canopies provide much needed vehicle shade, and the premium parking spots generate an additional revenue stream for the university.

This project, which is just one of its several “green campus” initiatives, demonstrates Fresno State’s commitment to sustainability and energy education and serves as a practical model for other universities. It is helping Fresno State meet its goal of being a sustainability leader among CSU campuses and in powering the “New California.”

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