Latest news with #ForeFrontPower
Business Wire
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Fullerton College and ForeFront Power Complete a 1 MW Solar Carport System
FULLERTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its Earth Week celebration, Fullerton College held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of a new solar canopy system developed in partnership with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale solar energy and storage projects. The 1 megawatt-DC (MW DC) solar parking canopy array, located in Student Parking Lot 5 adjacent to Sherbeck Field, is projected to save Fullerton College nearly $6 million in energy costs over the next 20 years. Fullerton College pursued this project to save on utility costs, reduce its carbon footprint, and advance its sustainability goals of transitioning campus energy consumption to 100% renewable energy. The solar carport system will generate 1.8 million kWh of renewable energy, which is enough to power the annual electricity use of over 300 homes. This energy output will offset roughly 19% of the College's electrical consumption. The clean, renewable electricity production from the solar energy system will help the College avoid 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, which is roughly equivalent to taking 200 cars off the road each year or offsetting the emissions from over 1 million pounds of coal burned. Put another way, the CO2 avoided each year will equal the amount of carbon sequestered by over 900 acres of U.S. forests in a year. 'After over a century of being in operation, Fullerton College is moving into the future by implementing clean energy solutions that will allow us to reliably produce clean energy, reduce harmful emissions, and reinvest energy savings into student success,' said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President of Fullerton College. 'What better time than during Earth Week to reaffirm our responsibility to the planet and future generations.' This is a pilot solar project for North Orange County Community College District to help demonstrate how solar can benefit other campuses in the District. The project is the culmination of an initial Solar Feasibility Study completed in 2021, which helped the College identify the project site, as well as implement the College's 2023-2026 Campus Sustainability Plan, which approved the development of the Student Lot 5 solar carport project through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ForeFront Power. The PPA with ForeFront Power enabled Fullerton College to develop its project at no upfront cost and without using bond funds. Under the terms of the PPA, ForeFront Power develops, owns, and maintains the solar energy portfolio and charges the College a fixed, lower rate than the utility for electricity, locked in for the 20-year duration of the agreement. ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the system at no cost to the College, while the College benefits from budget certainty by avoiding utility rate increases for decades to come. 'As a trusted renewable energy partner to California schools, ForeFront Power is honored to have the opportunity to help Fullerton College kick off the beginning of a decades-long journey towards transitioning to clean, renewable energy,' said Nate Smith Ide, Senior Manager at ForeFront Power. 'By making clean energy more accessible and simplifying the procurement process, we're helping schools like Fullerton College lead the way for other public institutions across California and beyond.' Fullerton College selected ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and construct its solar and energy storage portfolio via the Renewable Energy Aggregated Procurement (REAP) Program offered by SPURR. SPURR, a Joint Powers Authority of hundreds of public education agencies, uses competitive solicitations, aggregated buying power, and technical expertise to obtain excellent pricing and terms for utilities-related goods and services. The REAP Program allows any California public agency to obtain the best solar and energy storage pricing and terms from a competitive statewide solicitation. About Fullerton College Fullerton College, established in 1913, is indeed the oldest continuously operating community college in California. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including over 120 associate degrees and numerous certificate programs. About ForeFront Power ForeFront Power is a leading developer of community solar and commercial- and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, also offering vehicle 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.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kern Community College District and ForeFront Power Awarded E+E Leader's "Top Project of the Year" for Solar Energy Portfolio
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: 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 View source version on Contacts James CorteseGryphon Agency for ForeFront Powermedia@
