Kern Community College District (CCD) is geographically one of the largest community college districts in the US, providing extensive educational programs and services designed to meet the needs of a diverse population of 30,000+ students through Kern CCD’s three colleges: Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, and Porterville College. Bakersfield College has the distinction of being one of the oldest community colleges in the country, and Kern CCD is building upon its longstanding commitment to improve the quality of life for local communities.
Kern County, the top oil-producing region in California, also experiences some of the highest levels of air pollution in the state. This is particularly evident in Bakersfield, where Bakersfield College’s Panorama Campus is located directly across from the Kern River Oil Field, the fifth-largest oil field in the country. In an effort to reduce emissions, cut energy costs, and invest in student success, Kern CCD partnered with renewable energy developer ForeFront Power to develop a solar energy and storage portfolio.
Kern CCD and ForeFront Power completed a 4.6 MW solar energy and storage portfolio with projects at the Kern CCD District Office, the Bakersfield College Panorama Campus, the Weil Institute Building, and the Delano Campus. The Kern CCD solar energy and storage portfolio includes solar canopies, solar ground mounts, energy storage, a microgrid, and EV charging stations across the District. Combined, these projects generate 5.46 million kWh of clean, renewable electricity annually, helping the District avoid emitting 3,800 metric tons of CO2 each year. This carbon offset is the equivalent of taking 850 gas powered cars off the road each year, representing a net positive for the region’s air quality.
Under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Kern CCD, ForeFront Power provides Bakersfield College with electricity at a fixed, below-market rate. At a time when utility costs are rising, Kern CCD is projected to save more than $8 million over the 20-year lifespan of these systems. These financial savings allow the District to redirect funds toward student-focused programs, reinforcing its mission to expand educational opportunities.
As part of its partnership with Kern CCD, ForeFront Power provides funds for new renewable energy curriculum to support students studying STEM at Bakersfield College. These funds have enabled Bakersfield College science and engineering professors to upgrade their course curriculum by integrating hands-on projects such as building small-scale solar arrays with provided kits and learning about the different components of solar energy systems from the active solar projects on campus.
Beyond bringing solar into the classroom, ForeFront Power and Kern CCD also support emerging energy professionals on their career journey. ForeFront Power has partnered with Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) to roll out Climate Corps fellowships for Bakersfield College students. The SEI Climate Corps fellowship program provides participating students with an overview of energy and climate change issues, strategies for tackling climate change, and approaches to building community climate and energy resiliency in California. SEI Climate Corps Fellows receive opportunities to conduct their own independent climate mitigation research and resiliency projects with the California National Renewable Laboratory (CREL), a renewable energy hub at Bakersfield College established through a collaboration between Kern CCD and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
In addition to workforce development efforts, ForeFront Power is currently working with CREL to develop a microgrid at the Weil Institute Building. This microgrid will enhance energy resiliency by acting as a localized power grid that can operate independently or alongside the main electrical grid. By integrating battery storage and advanced energy management technologies, the microgrid will improve the reliability of power supply to the building, supporting the broader sustainability goals of the District.
Kern CCD was able to procure its solar energy and battery storage portfolio through the Renewable Energy Aggregated Procurement (REAP) Program, managed by the School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR). The REAP Program is designed to help California public agencies access clean energy solutions through pre-negotiated contracts, competitive pricing, and standardized terms. By leveraging REAP’s streamlined procurement process, Kern CCD selected ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and construct its renewable energy portfolio at no upfront cost to the District.
By investing in clean energy, Kern CCD is securing financial savings, reducing its carbon footprint, and positioning itself as a leader in sustainability. This project underscores the power of collaboration between educational institutions and industry partners in creating a resilient future for students, communities, and the planet.
