College Planning & Management

NOV 2012

College Planning & Management is the information resource for professionals serving the college and university market. Covering facilities, security, technology and business.

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Trends in Green SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS ON CAMPUS Why Solar Works for Schools Make a smart decision when going solar. BY DYLAN DUPRE A S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COMPETE to keep their tuition competitive and costs low, energy savings can be a major driver for success. While a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can dramatically reduce electric bills for all customers, colleges and universities can benefi t in several additional ways. A key element that makes schools prime candidates for solar energy is that they generally have campuses with an open area to fi t a rooftop-, carport-, or ground-mounted solar power system. In addition to meeting a good portion of energy needs during the school year, solar installations really excel when school is out. During summer break, when the sun shines most and solar generation is at a peak, school energy usage is at its lowest. During that period, a properly designed solar array can often generate more electricity than the school needs and, in some states, allow the school to sell electricity back to the grid. On top of the fi nancial incentives for going solar, colleges and universities can benefi t through the educational component. Many schools work with solar companies to design curriculum around the system to give students hands-on experience through real-time system monitoring. Noel Myers, a junior at Oberlin College, home of the largest cam- pus installation in Ohio, comments, "Our solar array has provided me with a unique educational opportunity and fi rsthand solar ex- perience. I've talked directly with the solar professionals on site and learned so much about the installation process. This system allows the student body to engage and do research on solar." What to Look for When Installing Solar In a tough budget environment, it can be tempting to look for the lowest upfront cost solution. But not all solar panels and solar installations are the same. The difference between average and exceptional installations can mean thousands of dollars over the more than 25-year average lifespan of a solar array. Instead, college and university facility managers and fi nance administrators should look for a system that will produce more energy over the lifetime of the system. Three key questions to consider when purchasing a solar system are: • Does the company being considered to design and install the system have a proven track record, and will they be a long-term partner? • Is the company committed to ensuring quality components and installation methods as well as ongoing service and maintenance? 62 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / NOVEMBER 2012 • Does the company streamline the process of going solar by provid- ing all the services necessary to get up and running? That is, does it offer everything from fi nancing to system engineering and design, to navigating permits and tax incentives, to installation, to service and maintenance, to working with the school on a solar curriculum? A company that offers all these services under one roof can simplify the process and provide signifi cant cost savings. A solar installation is a substantial purchase. Rather than choosing the lowest upfront cost, schools can maximize their investment by fi nding a company that will be a true partner from day one throughout the lifespan of the system. For example, Ohio's Oberlin College was able to optimize the energy produced by its solar system and make the most of avail- able land because their solar supplier was able to offer them a single-axis tracking system. By mounting solar modules on track- ing systems that are designed to follow the sun, power output can be increased by up to 25 percent over fi xed-mount arrays, lowering the cost of generated solar electricity and improving return on investment. Tracker technology also opens up solar options in areas like the Northeast and Southeast because they are built to withstand inclement weather such as snow or hurricanes. In addition to maximizing power output, a true solar partner can work with schools on the right fi nancing. National University, one of California's largest private nonprofi t colleges, installed rooftop and carport solar systems at two of its San Diego campuses. The system was fi nanced through a power purchase agreement (PPA), which resulted in no upfront cost to the University. The University expects to save more than $1.6M in electricity costs over the next 20 years. And, a true solar partner works with you to engage your students. Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego, CA, tapped into the power of its students when designing its solar array. The project was strongly infl uenced by PLNU students who, as a part of a class project, participated in the RFP and selection process. The 11 different installations supply more than 40 percent of the energy to the campus, are expected to save the school $2M over 20 years, and are a daily example of sustainability to students. Any college or university can achieve these benefi ts of solar power by focusing on the lifetime costs of the system and engaging a solar partner. CPM Dylan Dupre is vice president of Sales for SPG Solar (www.SPGSolar.com). WWW.PLANNING4EDUCATION.COM

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