Preserving the environment has been a goal for the Antelope Valley since 1994, when the city adopted the Blue Skies Program, which focuses on utilizing the power of renewable energy, more specifically wind energy.
However, not only does the High Desert supply a supple amount of renewable wind energy; where there’s a desert, there’s a lot of sun.
The city partnered with SolarCity to develop Solar Lancaster to take full advantage of the estimated 300 days of sunshine a year. In doing so, the Antelope Valley College parking lot became one of the 100 plus sites that are going solar.
After almost a year long wait for parking lots 10 and 11 to reopen, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place on June 15, 2011.
“Our new solar energy system, car charging stations, central cooling plant and data center, along with numerous energy efficient improvements made through this project give the district more than $1.1 million net savings in the first five years,” said Jackie L. Fisher Sr. Ed., president of Antelope Valley College.
Not only is the college saving money on energy, but Lancaster itself is making a change in the way we use and produce energy. It’s impressive to know that both on and off campus our community is making an impact by taking advantage of the abundant renewable energy available. After all, with all this sun and wind, this would seem like the ideal place to do so.
-by Mindy Simmons
