Butte College, which is 75 miles from Sacramento, will be the first school in the nation to generate more energy than it uses.
The school is accomplishing this incredible feat with the help of 25,000 solar panels that collect solar energy within the property which will generate 6.5 million kWh each year, enough electricity for 941 homes. The reduction in pollution from using renewable energy is equivalent to 615 cars.
The school will also benefit financially from solar panels, with savings of $50 million to $75 million over the first 15 years by eliminating the electricity bill, selling the additional electricity generated and avoiding increases in electricity prices.
Butte has also placed a lot of emphasis on efficiency and sustainability measures in LEED-certified buildings, a 175 percent recycling rate of waste and a student transportation system.
Authors: Santiago
