PG&E has presented the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) with a $7.9 million rebate check for solar panels installed at three of its colleges. 

These rebates are provided by the California's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and the California Solar Initiative (CSI).

The system has the capacity to supply 3.2 megawatts of direct current solar power to Los Medanos, Contra Costa and Diablo Valley colleges and is expected to generate about 4 million kilowatt-hours of power each year.

I commend the Contra Costa Community College District for making solar power a priority and for its commitment to a cleaner environment, said California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi. The CCCCD's extraordinary decision to install solar panels in its parking lots will not only educate its students about the importance of clean and renewable energy; it will set an example for residents, businesses and other colleges around the state of California.

In addition to the solar project, CCCCD also installed more than 22,000 energy-efficient light fixtures and replaced high-voltage systems at two of the three colleges.

The Contra Costa Community College District is visionary in its efforts toward energy efficiency and renewable resources, said Brad Whitcomb, PG&E vice president of marketing and customer innovation. We are proud to help the district as they show true environmental leadership, demonstrating to students and communities of the East Bay that solar power is achievable.

PG&E has provided more than $300 million in solar rebates to its customers through SGIP and the CSI program. 

Through CSI, PG&E has the potential to distribute an additional $880 million in solar rebates. 

Since July of 2007, PG&E has contracted for more than 2,500 megawatts of utility-scale solar to add to its power mix.

The Contra Costa Community College District would like to express its thanks to PG&E for this $7.9 million solar rebate, said CCCCD Chancellor Helen Benjamin. Solar generation is one way we can provide educational opportunities in a sustainable way, and the rebate justified the financial feasibility of the installation.