The 1-megawatt plant, now installed at the university’s campus, was purchased last year.   The fuel cell generates enough electricity to power 800 homes.   The $5.8 million complete project will benefit from environmentally friendly technology, a reliable source of electricity and an annual reduction in total energy costs. 

“Since 2001, The Gas Company has awarded more than $42 million to customers installing electric-generation systems, providing the state with 46 megawatts of much-needed generation – enough to power about 37,000 homes,” said Rick Morrow, vice president of customer services for The Gas Company .  “We are committed to help California move toward a cleaner energy future and to help reduce the costs of self-generation technologies for California consumers.”

Cal State Northridge qualified for the award by participating in the Self- Generation Incentive Program, a state-sponsored program that provides financial incentives to government and businesses for generating their own electricity on-site.

The California Public Utilities Commission launched the Self-Generation Incentive Program in 2001 in response to California’s electricity crisis. The program provides qualifying businesses with incentives to help offset the costs of buying and installing electric-generating systems.

As part of its commitment to exceptional customer service, The Gas Company supports this program through marketing, customer assistance and other administration activities throughout its service territory, which covers almost all of Southern California.