Energy service company McKinstry and the University of Colorado partnered on a solar project that made the campus a bit greener before the school year started.
Located on the roof of Parsons Hall on UNC’s campus, the 172-kW solar PV array is expected to produce 4.7 million kWh over the expected life of the system. McKinstry is also delivering an interactive dashboard later this fall to track the array’s performance metrics.
“Student expectations for sustainability and renewable energy initiatives are higher than ever, making solar PV arrays like the one installed at UNC an important part of the campus experience,” said Leslie Larocque, VP of McKinstry’s mountain territories. “McKinstry designed and delivered the UNC solar PV array to demonstrate how advanced energy systems and efficiency upgrades can generate both educational and sustainability benefits while also driving financial returns for universities.”
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment funded the UNC solar PV array through its Supplemental Environmental Projects Program.
The array is the latest partnership between UNC and McKinstry. Since 2016, McKinstry has conducted $8.9 million of energy-saving projects and other upgrades on the UNC campus. The university organized a three-year awareness campaign administered through McKinstry’s powerED program, which engaged more than 700 faculty, staff and students.
“With the mission of moving the UNC campus towards a more sustainable culture, Student LEAF (Leadership for Environmental Action Fund) and McKinstry established an alliance to empower, educate and transform the community,” said Joelle Jenkins, student and of Student LEAF. “Through student, faculty and staff participation, behavior-focused energy awareness and powerED — an operational efficiency program — were used to track overall engagement as well as reduce the campus’ carbon footprint.”
News item from McKinstry
Tell Us What You Think!