COCC’s Redmond campus going solar

Central Oregon Community College recently signed an agreement with IGS Solar to install a solar energy system at its Redmond Campus. The system will meet about 90 percent of the annual power needs for the four-building campus.

“Our partnership with IGS Solar is a great example of a win-win that ultimately benefits our students,” said Matt McCoy, COCC’s vice president for administration. “This project confirms our commitment to sustainability while helping keep educational opportunities affordable.”

COCC contracted with IGS Solar, a turn-key commercial and residential solar provider, in an effort to better control its long-term energy costs. IGS Solar financed and will own and operate the 504-kilowatt system, which will be installed and maintained by Sunlight Solar Energy of Bend, a certified SunPower dealer with more than 25 years’ experience.

Using a third-party ownership structure, IGS Solar provides a simple Power Purchase Agreement contract to help both nonprofit and for-profit organizations avoid the financial strains often associated with solar energy solutions. This is the fourth educational facility that has signed on with the company to receive financing for a solar energy solution.

“We are excited about the relationship we’ve formed with Central Oregon Community College, and are glad to play a role in helping them control their energy costs with solar,” said Patrick Smith, vice president of IGS Solar. “We look forward to being a long-standing sustainability partner well into the future.”

Oregon currently ranks 21 st in the country in terms of installed solar capacity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.