Big Man – Alternative Energy – On Campus

By Peggy Hammond   Feb 1, 2018

ISS believes solar is the future, so we are pleased when we hear more schools are turning to solar installations to reduce their carbon footprint.  Here’s a look at how campuses around the country are ushering America into a life less dependent on fossil fuels.

New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits reported on Jan. 22, 2018, Phillips Exeter Academy, a high school in Exeter, had 1,552 solar panels installed on the roof of their 84,574 square foot field house. The 535.44kW installation is expected to generate enough power over its lifetime for $2 million in savings and is New Hampshire’s largest solar array on a school.

News.hamlethub.com reported that on Jan. 9, 2018, Connecticut launched its new initiative Sustainable CT by holding two events featuring resources and sustainability best practices.  In attendance were representatives from colleges and universities, residents, businesses, and municipal elected officials.

Michigan State University has added to the renewable energy conversation in a big way. In December 2017, the University’s East Lansing campus began operations on America’s largest solar carport.  Five parking lots have the carports, which offer 11MW; in total the carports cover in excess of 4,500 parking spaces and a land area of 45 acres.  Not only will they provide partial coverage to cars, a big help in Michigan’s winters, but the carports will save an expected $10 million over the next 25 years in electricity costs.  Savings like this can help keep tuition costs in check, too (schoolconstructionnews.com).

In late 2017, environmenttexas.org revealed that in Texas, Southwestern University and University of North Texas are leading that state’s colleges in renewable energy, but 15 other colleges in Texas have some use of renewable energy.

News.nd.edu reported in July 2017 that Notre Dame University added a 144.72kW ground-mounted solar system, which connects to Kenmore Warehouse, used for the University’s storage needs.  Notre Dame already has some rooftop solar installations as well.

University Business lists a few other schools that have used solar for some years now. University of Missouri-Kansas City, New Jersey’s William Patterson University, Stony Brook University in New York, and North Carolina State University all have some solar installations ranging from rooftop panels, solar-powered campus bus shelters, solar pavilions and even solar umbrellas.

Here at ISS, we take comfort in knowing America’s schools are educating citizens in more ways than one, and we can all breathe a little cleaner because of their efforts.

ISS is a custom developer of utility-scale solar farms. To learn about opportunities to work with ISS, please see our website at www.innovativesolarsystemsllc.com or call John Green (CEO) 828-215-9064Solar good for Colleges? We think so.