University NM-Taos Celebrates Energy Independence Day

July 1, 2009 will forever be known as Energy Independence Day as the University of New Mexico - Taos is now officially 100% powered by the sun - the first community college in the United States to meet this goal.

Image via UNM-Taos

One of the largest solar generation plants in New Mexico is being constructed on the Taos campus and when it goes online this month, it will make the Klauer campus the first community college in the United States completely powered by solar. The array is a 500 kW facility and will more than cover electricity demands by the college and any unused electricity will go back on the grid. The array itself covers over 3.5 acres on the Klauer campus and uses trackers to follow the sun, generating up to 20% more electricity than flat-mounted panels would.