Solar or Bust

Occidental College has made many great strides to be attempt to be true to its commitment to sustainability. Many small projects have been done across the campus to reduce energy usage and make it more efficient. Motion sensor lighting has been installed in many rooms, reducing wasting unnecessary usage of electricity. Low-flow toilets and waterless urinals have been installed to reduce water usage. Many other small projects have taken place as well, and they have, and will continue to have, positive effects.

It is very important, however, that the college have a large project, which it can hang its hat on. Proposed is the implementation of a large 1 megawatt solar array on Mount Fiji. This solar array is estimated to supply approximately 12% of the college's electricity needs. There are many ways in which to use natural resources to provide renewable energy, and in sunny southern California, harnessing energy from the sun makes perfect sense. Other renewable energy ideas, however, would not fit so well at this location. Hydro power and geothermal power are out of the question. Although Occidental is in a hilly community, there is likely not strong enough, consistent wind to make a wind turbine efficient. A couple years ago there was a proposal to use waste from the dining facilities in the form of vegetable oils and related bi products to produce biodiesel, which could be used to fuel some of the campus owned vehicles. Unfortunately, that project did not take place. It would be interesting to see if this idea could be revisited.

Consequently, solar energy is the only remaining renewable energy option for Occidental. There is widespread campus support for the proposed solar array. The students, general assembly, senate, as well as members of the administration support the idea of the solar array. Much has been said about the positive impacts of the array. It is important to note, however, that there is not a next best option that is close to being comparable to the solar array. If the solar array is not approved, where would they go from there to make a substantial impact on energy?