The main reason Hartnell launched this project was to reduce operational costs as it continues to lose state funding, explains Joseph Reyes, Hartnell’s Director of Facilities. The college could have launched a renewable energy project that would have showcased its sustainability program, but the payback would have been too long. The payback on lighting is only about 2 years, after which it provides a potential savings of $100,000 a year after the payback period. “As caretakers of the taxpayers’ money, we felt it was the right thing to do,” says Reyes. From an aesthetic viewpoint, feedback from faculty and administration has been positive. “They complained about the old lighting being harsh and causing eye fatigue,” says Reyes. “The new lights provide a more natural li

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