LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – At its Jan. 10 meeting the Yuba Community College District governing board approved a project to retrofit antiquated parking lot lighting that will save the district a total of $3,213,425 over a 25-year period.  

The project, funded in part by California Energy Commission (CEC) low interest loan will improve lighting efficiency on the Yuba College, Woodland Community College and Clearlake campuses.  

In addition, the district entered into a partnership with PG&E to receive $132,000 in incentives through the California Community Colleges and Investor-Owned Utility Energy Efficiency Partnership Rebate Program.   

Exterior lights, including pathway, flood and canopy lights, as well as parking lot lights will be upgraded to Light Emitting Diode (LED) Technology at the three campuses and will reduce energy consumption by 63 percent saving the District an estimated $76,242 in the first year alone.
 
“This is a fiscally positive project,” said YCCD Director of Facilities Planning George Parker.

The new LED Lighting System has a lifecycle of 25 years which consume 50 percent to 75 percent less energy, require less maintenance and have extended hours of operation.

The technologically advanced LED lighting system delivers a clean, white light that is closer to daylight, at improved light levels and will enhance campus safety.

Yuba Community College District has 1,747 interior and exterior lighting fixtures which produce a baseline usage of 881,000 kilowatt hours.   

“This is a sound decision that more than pays for itself between the energy savings and the avoided costs to continue to replace the expensive old style lights. The district will redirect the annual and overall cost savings into academic program support,” said YCCD Chancellor Dr. Douglas Houston.