Eastern New Mexico University will soon be implementing renewable energy practices
PORTALES, N.M. (KVII) — Eastern New Mexico University recently approved a solar project that will consist of over 10,000 solar panels and offset around seventy-five percent of the campuses' yearly power needs. This project plans to maximize the universities' energy efficiency and educational opportunities.
“So, both as an academic program and as a social responsibility issue, we think renewable energy is here to stay. We are glad to be partnering with two companies that have shown a lot of interest in working with higher education,”
This solar project will be in partnership with Affordable Solar and Array Technologies. Both companies specialize in solar technology and are based out of New Mexico.
Caldwell says that this project is estimated to generate nine million in savings over the next thirty years. She also emphasized that this project is also about much more than financial gain.
“Even if it were a break-even, to look at solar energy, and to give that example to New Mexico and to our community, that is worth doing. We really hope this sets an example for not only our students but the community.”
All excess energy generated will be distributed back to the community of Portales.
The solar farm’s installation process will start this summer and could potentially be operational by the fall.
