Edison To Construct Solar Facility At COD Extension

Southern California Edison will take over construction of the solar farm planned for the College of the Desert extension campus in Palm Springs.

Under contracts signed recently, Edison will develop the solar energy facility on the 60-acre “GreenPark.” The area is only one part of the 119-acre West Valley Campus.

“This partnership with Southern California Edison is a crucial component of our plan to design, build and operate a self-sustainable college campus in the west valley region,’’ said Jerry Patton, president of the Palm Desert-based College of the Desert.

The solar panels are expected to create enough energy to power about 5,200 homes.

“The large solar power array Southern California Edison plans to construct at College of the Desert will provide additional clean energy to our Coachella Valley customers,'' said Mark Nelson, Southern California Edison's director of generation planning and strategy.

“Plus, it will enhance industry knowledge about integrating this type of renewable energy plant into neighborhood power grids.''

The agreement will provide COD a revenue stream to develop programs and services at the new West Valley Campus while reducing utility costs, according to COD Vice President Edwin Deas.

“(The) West Valley Campus will allow us to show that our integrated sustainability approach is environmentally and socially responsible, can solve environmental challenges and be economically viable through cost savings and reduced operating costs,'' Deas said.

In December, the college signed an agreement with a Santa Monica-based architecture firm to design the campus. Ideas considered include advanced lighting, facade systems that minimize heat gain or loss, and advanced air conditioning systems.

The West Valley Campus is scheduled to open September 2014. Designed to serve students from Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs, the extension campus was approved as part of a $346.5 million bond in 2004.

City News Service contributed to this report.