Oregon's Public Universities Plan To Go Solar—New Program Could Get One Campus Off The Grid

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://news.opb.org/article/oregons-public-universities-plan-go-solar/

Oregon's Public Universities Plan To Go Solar

New Program Could Get One Campus Off The Grid

Rob Manning | August 9, 2011 | Portland, OR

Oregon's public universities are planning an ambitious expansion of solar power on their campuses that would set one campus on a path toward energy independence.

Major solar-power projects are planned for three campuses: http://www.oit.edu/">Oregon Institute of Technology, http://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University, and http://www.eou.edu/">Eastern Oregon University. The projects would total 5 megawatts -- more solar power than any project currently operating in Oregon -- if contracts are finalized this week.

Officials plan to break ground at OIT next week; the Klamath Falls campus would get the biggest solar array, according to OIT President Christopher Maples.

"It's really exciting. It's terrific for the people of Oregon. And it's really going to save us money in the long run. But it also means that the Oregon University System is 'walking the talk' as it were," Maples says. Maples says with the likely addition of geothermal electricity, the Klamath Falls campus could soon be producing all its own power. Four other university campuses would build solar projects next year, under a second phase. Business energy tax credits are intended to cover much of the estimated $26 million cost.

(Audio at the link.)

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And also because it's Oregon - MY STATE!