REDMOND, OR -- Central Oregon Community College is moving forward on the creation of one of the state's largest solar arrays. Ron Paradis tells KBND this week's decision by the board takes the $2 million project into the next phase. "The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors agreed to enter into a contract with Sunlight Solar. They will be our partner as move forward on the solar array project we've been working on for the past couple years, which will be arrayed on our Redmond campus.
 

Once completed, the system will generate around 504 kW per hour, and is expected to provide most - if not all - of the energy needed for the Redmond branch campus. Paradis says the goal is for at least 5% of the college's energy to eventually come from a renewable source. Construction should begin this summer.