Kern Community College District and SunPower Corp. are dedicating a 1.1-megawatt solar power system at Bakersfield College. The system is expected to supply approximately one-third of the college's electricity demand, due in large part to the use of SunPower's high-efficiency solar panels and advanced sun-tracking technology.

"It makes sense to use the clean, renewable resource of the sun to power our schools sustainably," said Dr. Greg A. Chamberlain, president of Bakersfield College.  "The high-efficiency technology installed on our site is maximizing the amount of sunlight that is converted to electricity for our operations and the cost savings that we will achieve as a result.  SunPower's experience working with educational facilities across the state gave us confidence that they would understand and meet our special requirements."

Constructed in five months, the system features a 3.1-acre parking lot canopy structure with nearly 3,700 SunPower solar panels that track the sun throughout the day, providing shade in the lot and solar electric power for the campus.  SunPower's tracking solar system design will generate up to 25 percent more energy for Bakersfield College than a similarly sized flat, roof-top system.  

"Community college and school districts in California are seizing the opportunity to help the state meet its growing energy demand and renewable energy goals," said Jim Pape, president of SunPower's residential and commercial business group.  "Bakersfield College understands the significant return on investment that SunPower systems deliver, and the added value of working with an experienced partner."

According to conversion formulas provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the solar system at Bakersfield College will displace more than 2.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year.  This is equivalent to the emissions displaced from removing more than 5,900 cars from California's roads over the 30-year life of the system.

SunPower has more than 650 large solar power systems in operation or under contract globally.  The company has built solar power systems for California community colleges including Mendocino College, Napa Valley College, Ohlone College, the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, and the Los Angeles Community College District.