Solar Array Update

Last year, the Sustainability Committee reported that Hancock's Santa Maria Campus would be going solar by providing carport solar panel canopies and creating more than $5.5 million dollars of electricity savings to the college while giving student and employee vehicles extra shade and protection. Like other construction projects at this time, some modifications were made to the timeline and the plan, but by the end of the year, the solar project will be well underway! 

Land is currently being surveyed and utility lines are currently being marked so that groundbreaking can take place in late October. The project will take place in a lot by lot sequence so that parking isn’t impacted too much at once. The entire project is expected to be completed within six months after groundbreaking.

The revised plan for is for the arrays to cover parking Lot 1 in front of building S, Lot 2 in front of Building C, Lot 4 on the North side of the Student Services Building, Lot 8 near the Sports Pavillion/Gymnasium, and Lot 10 in front of the Tennis courts. Decisions on where to revise the locations was based on maximizing sunlight access and eliminating the need for trees to be removed.

The solar paneled carports will not only provide shade and protection to student and employee vehicles, but will be lined with LED lights providing ample lighting and safety at night. The canopies will also save the college money by providing protection to the slurry coats and painting on the parking lots.

The building and maintenance of the solar array will be taken care of by Forefront Power and Hancock will pay a flat rate over a 20-year period. Because Allan Hancock College provides services to low income and disadvantaged individuals, PG&E has refunded the college the cost of the mega storage battery in conjunction with the solar project.