Cochise College and its partners took a giant step forward Tuesday in conserving limited energy resources with the unveiling of a new solar power plant.

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The college conducted a grand opening Tuesday morning, August 10, unveiling the new plant and thanking its partners �“ Eternax Solar, SPG Solar and APS.

“Cochise College can take pride in being a leader in solar energy in the county,” said College President J.D. Rottweiler. “This project is due to the vision and leadership of the Governing Board. This is eight years in the making.”

Susan Buchanan of SEAGO said that “Renewable energy is a major challenge in our country. Fossil fuel resources are dwindling. We have to find new, alternative resources.

“It’s amazing that we have the most sunshine of any state, but are only fifth on the list of operating solar projects in the country.”

She did say it was encouraging that Arizona is now second with proposed solar projects announced.

Larry Miller of APS said that solar can no longer be a vision, but the reality now and in the future.

The new college solar plant is similar in size to others in the state. The plant, which is slightly smaller than two acres in size, will provide about one-third of the energy needs of the Douglas Campus, saving the local college between $8,000 and $9,000 annually. The plant will produce about 700,000 kilowatts of power each year.

The plant, which is located between the baseball field and service entrance, has about 1,600 panels which are moved by computer to follow the path of the sun, increasing its capacity by about 20 percent. A kiosk powered by a solar panel and wind turbine will show live and historical information about how the system is performing.

The college also is developing curriculum for a Green Building Certificate that will be part of the building construction technology program.

Externax financed the $2 million project and will earn green credits for APS. In addition, the college will purchase electricity at a 9 percent discount. After 20 years, the college will have the option to own the facility and the energy it generates.

The site is situated on two to three acres, and if the project is successful, it could expand.

The photovoltaic facility is the second solar project on the campus that will help the college save money and reduce its reliance on traditional power sources. The initial project, a partnership with APS that was dedicated in 2006, was a solar trough system used to heat and cool parts of the Douglas Campus. The project saved the college about $20,000 in utility costs this past year.