Whitman prides itself on promoting environmental consciousness–a goal which shapes classroom learning and campus life. The creation of the Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) in 2009 demonstrated, for example, the college’s commitment to green projects while promoting environmental initiatives which save the college money.
Yet, past environmental initiatives at Whitman have carried the potential of financial savings, but many have risked an initial investment if the project did not turn out as planned. Every SRLF-funded project to date: microgreens, recycled letterhead notebooks, efficient water faucets: has required a capital investment by Whitman to get started.
In contrast, the community solar project from Fred Liebrand has the potential to make Whitman a large amount of money with no financial investment from the college. (For details on the project, see “The Solar Gold Mine” on page 1.) In spite of this fact, Whitman has yet to commit to participating in the project.
Washington State has one of the most generous solar power incentive programs in the country. Because of rising energy demand, the state has recognized that it makes fiscal sense to invest in small-scale, renewable power generation. When individuals and communities decide to put solar panels on top of buildings, the benefits are far-reaching. Utility companies save money by not building new power plants to meet growing demand. Washington workers who manufacture panels, inverters and engines for generation are able to make a good living. Carbon emissions from power production are reduced. And the person or group installing the panels can actually make money by taking advantage of federal rebates and state production incentives.
Liebrand’s project is an innovative way to capture these benefits for Walla Walla’s colleges. In addition to financial returns, a community solar project has significant educational benefits, since it allows interested students to learn about panel installation and maintenance. The presence of solar panels on campus and around Walla Walla also serves as a visual reminder that renewable energy development is important and provides local jobs.
Understandably, the college has concerns about fundraising for the project, since it wants to focus the development office’s energy on growing Whitman’s endowment. These concerns, however, should not prevent the administration from making a clear statement that they intend to work with Liebrand to help the project succeed.
Whitman students and alumni are an environmentally conscious group. Many who would not normally donate to a fundraising campaign if contacted by the development office would gladly put their money into a solar system, especially knowing that they would be able to make most of their investment back while contributing to Whitman scholarships. Active recruitment of investors is not a requirement to participate in the project at all: Whitman could help as it is able, without devoting staff time to calling alumni and asking for money. Student groups may also be willing to reach out to investors, as they did to raise money for the Bratton Tennis Center solar panel installation.
The simple fact is that right now, solar makes sense. Most of us know about the environmental benefits of solar, but Liebrand has shown that a community solar project can also provide a substantial return on investment. Whitman wants to be green: it wants to make money and save the planet. It’s a rare opportunity that so clearly allows us to do both.
