January 17, 2005

RIDGECREST, Calif., Jan. 17, 2005—Southern California Edison (SCE) today presented a $4.3-million check to the Kern Community College District for its participation in SCE’s Self-Generation Incentive Program. 
  
The program is a state-sponsored initiative developed to encourage the installation of new low- or zero-emissions, self-generation units throughout SCE’s service territory.  The program is intended to help customers and the state manage peak electrical demand and address ongoing air-quality concerns.

The rebate—believed to be the largest ever made by SCE for such a program—is the result of the district’s successful installation of a large photovoltaic (PV) array (solar) at Cerro Coso Community College in January 2005.  At a cost of $9.2 million, Cerro Coso’s installation is believed to be the largest PV array of any community college in the nation, with more than 6,100 PV panels on 6.5 acres capable of producing 959 kilowatts (.9 megawatts). 
 
“On behalf of the Kern Community College District and Cerro Coso, we proudly accept this incentive award from Edison,” said Sharon K. Dyer, Cerro Coso president.  “Having most of our power needs supplied by a ‘green source’ benefits the college, the district, our community and our state—we’re all winners.”
 
On a sunny day, Cerro Coso’s PV array can supply enough electricity to meet most of the needs of the campus, which serves 2,700 students.  SCE will augment or provide backup power for those times when the array does not fully meet the school’s electricity needs.  In addition to the $4.3 million the district receives through the program, school administrators estimate an annual cost savings of approximately $250,000 in energy costs. 

“We are delighted to present this rebate to the Kern Community College District,” said Kevin Ellison, SCE’s director of major customer accounts. “The district’s decision to invest in this renewable energy source will not only save the district money, it will also help protect the environment while helping the state meet growing energy demands.”

More information on SCE’s Self-Generation Incentive Program can be found at www.sce.com; click on “Rebates and Offers.”  Customers also can call 1-800-736-4777 weekdays during business hours.

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An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 12 million via 4.6 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.