United Bicycle Institute Chooses Solar Power

ASHLAND, OR (BRAIN)--United Bicycle Institute has installed an 8.4-kilowatt solar electric generating system on the roof of its building.

This solar system ties into of the City of Ashland's power grid. As part of the city's photovoltaic rebate program, any power generated by UBI each month above the amount it consumes is purchased by the City of Ashland, which owns and operates the local electric utility.

UBI, a trade school that teaches classes in bicycle mechanics and custom bicycle frame building, went solar to promote sustainable technology.

"UBI supports sustainable transportation through our educational efforts in the bicycle industry. Now, we're supporting sustainable energy, too," said UBI president Ron Sutphin. "We think we're the only solar powered bicycle school in the world."

Sutphin says he expects the current system to generate about 60 percent of the school's annual electricity needs, but it can be expanded in the future.

UBI's system is the second largest system in Ashland, according to Larry Giardina, conservation analyst for the City of Ashland.

"Only the system on the city's police station, at 15 kilowatts, is larger," Giardina said.

The system was designed and installed by Bob-O Schultze of The Electron Connection, an alternative energy firm located in Hornbrook, California.