Kern Community College District and ForeFront Power Awarded E+E Leader's "Top Project of the Year" for Solar Energy Portfolio

Yahoo

01-04-2025

The District's Sprawling 4.6 MW Portfolio Includes Solar Energy, Battery Storage, EV Chargers, and a Microgrid
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., April 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ForeFront Power, a leading developer of commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, today announced that the Kern Community College District (CCD) Solar Portfolio has been recognized as a "Top Project of the Year" in the prestigious E+E Leader Awards. Judges recognized the Kern CCD Solar Portfolio as an outstanding example of energy innovation in higher education.
The E+E Leader Product & Project Awards is an annual program recognizing excellence in products and services that provide companies with energy and environmental benefits, or in projects implemented by companies that improved environmental or energy management outcomes and increased the bottom line.
Awards were scored by a panel of independent judges from more than 20 companies, including Hyundai Motor Group, JLL, Air Force OEA, Navitas Partners, UCLA, TRC Companies, IWSI America, Intrinsic Textiles, Climate Social, and CapGemini.
With the sustainability and energy landscape evolving rapidly, professionals face increasing challenges in selecting the right solutions. The E+E Leader Product & Project Awards serve as a trusted benchmark, highlighting cutting-edge innovations and real-world success stories. Through rigorous expert evaluation, the program provides companies with vetted products and proven projects that drive meaningful improvements in sustainability and energy management.
"The winners of this year's E+E Leader Awards are tackling some of the most pressing sustainability and energy challenges with real-world, scalable solutions," says Sarah Roberts, Co-President of E+E Leader and C-Suite Compass LLC. "These projects and products push industry standards forward and are setting new benchmarks for innovation and impact."
"Every year, our judges look to recognize the businesses that are truly moving the needle and striving for sustainability and operational efficiency," says Kay Harrison, VP and head of the E+E Leader Awards program. "This year's winners exemplify the kind of forward-thinking strategies and technologies that companies need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex energy and environmental landscape."
About the Kern CCD Solar Portfolio
Kern CCD, one of the largest community college districts geographically in the U.S., serves over 30,000 students through its three colleges: Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, and Porterville College. To combat high pollution levels, reduce energy costs, and invest in student success, Kern CCD partnered with ForeFront Power to develop a 4.6 MW solar energy and storage portfolio across multiple sites.
The Kern CCD solar energy and storage portfolio includes solar canopies, solar ground mounts, energy storage, a microgrid, and EV charging stations across the District. Combined, these projects generate 5.46 million kWh of clean, renewable electricity annually, helping the District avoid emitting 3,800 metric tons of CO2 each year. This carbon offset is the equivalent of taking 850 gas powered cars off the road each year, representing a net positive for the region's air quality.
"Kern Community College District and its three colleges are dedicated to promoting sustainability and advancing climate action. Our partnership with ForeFront Power exemplifies this commitment," said Kern CCD Chancellor Steven Bloomberg. "This collaboration not only makes sound business sense, but also directly benefits our students. Through investments in curriculum development and workforce training at the California Renewable Energy Laboratory at Kern CCD, we are preparing our students and our campuses for a sustainable future."
"This award validates our commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions in higher education," said Marcos A. Rodriguez, Executive Director for Facilities & Operations at Bakersfield College. "The Kern CCD project demonstrates how strategic partnerships, and innovative technologies can create significant environmental and economic benefits for our communities and students."
Under the terms of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Kern CCD, ForeFront Power developed, owns, and maintains the District's solar energy portfolio. The PPA enabled Kern CCD to develop its portfolio at no upfront cost and without using bond funds. As utility costs continue to rise, Kern CCD is projected to save more than $8 million over the 20-year lifespan of these systems. These financial savings allow the District to redirect funds toward student-focused programs, reinforcing its mission to expand educational opportunities.
"By integrating solar power, energy storage, and EV charging infrastructure directly on campus, we're not only helping Kern CCD cut costs and emissions but also creating hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in sustainability," said Ruben R. Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power. "This award-winning project demonstrates how solar, and storage can drive both financial savings and environmental benefits for educational institutions serving the next generation of the renewable energy workforce."
As part of its partnership with Kern CCD, ForeFront Power provides financial support for a renewable energy curriculum that enables hands-on STEM learning with the small-scale solar arrays at Bakersfield College. This includes a collaboration with Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) to fund Climate Corps fellowships, in which students engage in climate mitigation research with the California National Renewable Laboratory (CREL), an energy hub developed with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). ForeFront Power is also currently working with CREL to develop a microgrid at the Weil Institute Building, which will improve the reliability of power supply to the building, supporting the broader sustainability goals of the District.
About ForeFront Power:
ForeFront Power is a leading developer of commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, also offering fleet electrification services. Over 15 years of working together, the ForeFront Power team has developed more than 1,900 behind-the-meter and community solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC of renewable electricity. ForeFront Power serves business, government, education, healthcare and community solar customers with a broad array of development, asset management and advisory services from its San Francisco headquarters and via teams based in New York, Mexico City, and across the U.S.
About Kern CCD
Kern Community College District (Kern CCD) serves communities over 24,800 square miles in parts of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino counties through the programs of Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, and Porterville College. Governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees, the District's colleges offer programs and services that develop student potential and create opportunities for our citizens.
About Environment + Energy Leader
Since 2006, Environment+Energy Leader's website and newsletters have provided the definitive and objective voice in reporting on business-related energy, environmental, and sustainability issues. Visit: www.environmentenergyleader.com.
About the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards
For over a decade, the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards have recognized excellence in products, services, and corporate initiatives that drive energy and environmental improvements. Entries are evaluated using a rigorous five-point rating system by an independent panel of executive-level judges from leading organizations across various industries. To see this year's winners and learn more about our judges, visit eeleaderawards.com.
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Contacts
James CorteseGryphon Agency for ForeFront [e-mail]