Antelope Valley Community College District and Chevron Energy Solutions Complete 1.1 MW Solar and Energy Efficiency Project to Save $25 Million

LANCASTER, Calif., June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Antelope Valley Community College District and Chevron Energy Solutions announced today the completion of a 1.1 MW solar and energy efficiency program at the district's Lancaster campus. The program is expected to save the district more than $25 million over the life of the project, including incentives from the California Solar Initiative.

"Our new solar energy system, car charging stations, central cooling plant and data center, along with the numerous energy efficiency improvements made through this project give the district more than $1.1 million net savings in the first five years," said Jackie L. Fisher, Sr. Ed.D., president of Antelope Valley Community College District. "At a time of tightly managed budgets, this program is certainly reason to celebrate. We're delighted that Chevron Energy Solutions was able to offer a comprehensive energy project that delivers great value to our budget's bottom line."

Antelope Valley Community College District expects the program will offset its annual electrical utility usage by more than 50 percent and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,400 metric tons per year, which is equivalent to the carbon sequestered annually by more than 500 acres of pine forest. These achievements also help support the state's clean energy goals.

Chevron Energy Solutions designed, constructed, operates, maintains, measures and guarantees the solar system's performance for the district. The company also engineered and installed the energy efficiency improvements, including a new chilled water plant and energy efficiency controls, lighting upgrades and irrigation control upgrades.

"We are pleased to work with the Antelope Valley Community College District to make campus improvements that provide critical fiscal relief and increase energy efficiency," said Jim Davis, President of Chevron Energy Solutions. "Education institutions across the country face difficult budgetary challenges. By working closely with schools and colleges across the United States, we are uncovering significant savings opportunities and customized energy solutions that benefit students and communities like Antelope Valley Community College District."

Chevron Energy Solutions is one of the largest installers of solar power in the U.S. education market and has developed hundreds of projects that improve energy efficiency and provide renewable power for education, government and business facilities.

An event to celebrate the completion of this solar and energy efficiency project was held today at the college's Lancaster campus. Students, district representatives and business officials attended the event.

About Chevron Energy Solutions

Chevron Energy Solutions develops and builds sustainable energy projects that increase energy efficiency and renewable power, reduce energy costs, and ensure reliable, high-quality energy for government, education and business facilities. Its parent, Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), is investing across the energy spectrum to develop energy sources for future generations by expanding the capabilities of alternative and renewable energy technologies. Chevron has spent approximately $4.4 billion on renewable energy and efficiency since 2002, and expects to spend $2.2 billion in this area between 2011 and 2013.

About Antelope Valley Community College District

Originally opened as an extension of the local high school in 1929, the thriving Antelope Valley Community College District today includes a 135-acre main campus in Lancaster and a south valley campus in Palmdale. Overall enrollment in the college exceeds 14,000 students. The solar and energy efficiency improvements made today are the most recent highlights in the college's ongoing legacy of innovation and growth. For more information, visit www.avc.edu.

Contact:

Ken Pimental, Chevron Energy Solutions, office: 415.733.4673, cell: 925.822.7078
Steve Standerfer, Antelope Valley Community College District, office: 661.722.6312, cell: 661.917.8551

SOURCE Chevron Energy Solutions