Converting to Solar Energy on College Campuses

Converting to Solar Energy on College

Campuses

Alyson Rae McGonigle

http://www.asu.edu/fm/albums/energy/campus_solarization.htm

Case studyASU

Arizona State University (ASU)

In 2003, signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

Proposal to install 1.8 megawatts of photovoltaic solar power.

Why Renewable Energy is Important to the University With over 86,000 terawatts (1 terawatt =

1,000,000 megawatts ) of solar energy reaching the Earth’s surface each year.

In 2008, solar electric power made up only 0.2% of global energy was produced.

Because of the large growth in demand for energy, ASU believes that photovoltaic power is vital for the 21st century technology.

ASU

By 2004, 1.9 megawatts of PV solar power was installed on campus.

The first 1.9 megawatts of solar power avoided nearly 4 million pounds of CO2 and significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

This first “power plant” was installed on the top of the stadium parking garage, covering nearly 50 parking spaces.

http://www.asu.edu/fm/albums/energy/campus_solarization.htm

In 2006, students found that 25 out of 38 buildings on campus could be used for PV solar panels.

Ultimate goal = 15 - 20 megawatts of solar power, which avoid close to 40 million pounds of CO2 and generate further reduction in the emission of greenhouse gas.

ASU uses approximately 36 megawatts accross its entire campus

Putting this into perspective, 1 megawatt of solar energy can power nearly165 American homes.

In following the commitment that was signed, ASU intended to find a third party to provide capital to build and install the solar panels .

ASU purchases the energy that is generated from at a fixed rate over a long period of time.

This fixed rate, although seemingly high at first, will actually lower the cost of energy over the long run.

In 2007, ASU began plans for a 150 kilowatt system on the roofs of another two of their buildings.

LEED- Platinum certification

Installed by a company based directly out of Arizona called APSES and began operation in early 2009.

http://www.asu.edu/fm/albums/energy/campus_solarization.htm

The school hopes that this project will save over $425,000 in the first 15 years.

PV solar energy purchased at a flat rate saving more and more each year.

From 2007-2010 non renewable energy costs increased by 40% for the university.

Reduce carbon emissions by nearly 3 tons = nearly 550 cars

Become sustainable as an institution and teach sustainability not only through words but also through actions.

Pros

Initial costs of PV panels is very expensive, and greenhouse emissions in the production of panels.

Initial cost of energy will seem high.

Sun rays are not 100% reliable

Cons

Today, ASU has nearly 10.5 megawatts of energy being produced by solar panels on campus, just 5 megawatts away from their original goal.

These solar farms are located on the roofs of various parking garages and buildings throughout campus.

ASUhttp://www.asu.edu/fm/albums/energy/campus_solarization.htm

Works Cited Solar Power Labs @ ASU. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://pv.asu.edu/>.

"Campus Solarization | Business and Finance." Home | Business and Finance. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://cfo.asu.edu/fdm-campus-solarization>.

Campus Ecology. "Arizona State University." National Wildlife Federation (2009): 1-3. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://www.nwf.org/campusEcology/docs/Arizona%20State%20U%20Energy%20FINAL%2Epdf>.

Myers, David. "SOLAR BELONGS ON ROOFTOPS." Earth Island Journal 25.3 (2010): 54-55. Environment Complete. EBSCO. Web. 20 Oct. 2010.