New apartments to utilize solar energy

A new complex being built near San Diego State aims to provide student housing that makes less of an impact on the environment.

Sterling University Collwood apartments, a 260-unit complex, will finish construction in August.

Twenty-five percent of the new apartments’ energy consumption needs will be provided by solar energy. The complex will hopefully to be the first in the U.S. to receive a Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

In order for the complex to meet LEED certification, it must be a minimum of 14 percent more energy efficient than other buildings of its kind, have at least 20 percent water efficiency, recycle all trash and waste and have reduced carbon emissions, according to Don Brooks, the sustainable design manager for Sterling Collwood.

“I believe we are setting a good example of how we can do our part with the environment,” Community Manager Sarah Tatum said.

To help promote sustainability, Tatum said the complex will provide its residents with a free daily shuttle to campus and home football games, a “bum-a-bike” program where students can borrow a bike to ride to campus and free resident parking for hybrid vehicles.

The new apartments are being constructed where Collwood Pines Apartments, a multi-building complex whose residents were mostly students, used to stand. A former Collwood Pines resident said he and fellow residents had to find new housing because of the planned demolition. Collwood Pines was demolished in the fall of last year and construction on Sterling University Collwood apartments began shortly after.

Although rent for the new apartments is more expensive than many competitors in the College Area, Tatum said she believes added amenities and energy-saving resources will draw students to Sterling Collwood.

The new apartments will be located roughly a mile from campus, and many students say an important issue when selecting housing is its proximity to campus.

Psychology sophomore Berklee Jansen said her current living arrangement is “a little bit expensive, but it’s nice living so close to school.”

Sterling University Collwood apartments is currently preleasing for fall of next year.

Be the first to comment on this article!

Add comment


I am not posting spam. I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

Enter the characters in the image above:

log out