University Gets Virginia’s Biggest Solar Array

An agreement to install a 450 kilowatt solar photovoltaic array, the largest in Virginia, was reached between Washington & Lee University and Secure Futures LLC, a solar energy developer based in Staunton, Va., on Aug. 5.

A building and a parking facility were designated for the installation of the solar arrays. The smaller one, with a capacity of 120 kilowatts, will be a canopy over the university’s parking deck. The second one will be on the roof of the law school, and will have a capacity of 330 kilowatts.

Construction should be finished by the end of the year. The energy output of the two arrays can supply enough power to 44 homes in Lexington annually, according to the university.

"This is an important step for Washington and Lee as part of our continuing emphasis on sustainability," said President Kenneth P. Ruscio, in a press release.

According to Ruscio, this is another instance of how the university is aligning institutional practices with what is taught to students about being responsible citizens, and keeping obligations to future generations.

“This agreement provides a power purchase agreement for 20 years, with a predetermined price that will be fixed on a long-term basis, providing stability pricing,” said Scott Beebe, director of Facilities Management of Washington & Lee in a phone interview. “It will also reduce the carbon footprint by 256 metric tons as everyone is trying to reach a carbon neutrality.

"With this system in place we will have a 20 percent reduction by 2020 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050," Beebe stated.

“The University is certainly making solar energy more accessible and mainstream. We are seeing an increase in public support for renewable energy and seeing more homes incorporating solar energy,” said Tony Smith, president of Secures Futures LLC, in a phone interview. “We are slowly seeing a steady increase in energy prices and prices for solar panels are steadily dropping. Within several years, it will be more affordable for smaller scale entities to install these solar systems.”

The university has embarked on numerous sustainability projects across its campus. It has signed both the Presidents’ Climate Commitment, an initiative of colleges and universities in the United States, and the International Talloires Declaration that incorporates sustainability in teaching, research and university operations.

The university implements composting, local and organic foods, energy conservation, purchasing, transportation, and management of physical plants, in addition to generating less waste in the areas of printing and copying.

“Another big project that we are currently working on is the installation of a solar thermal system on the library that will produce hot water for reheating in the summer time and generating heat in the winter time. This system is expected to be fully operational by mid-September of this year,” said Beebe.

Another aspect of this project is that it will allow students to use this information as an academic tool.

Beebe added excitedly, “In addition to helping us align with our mission statement, it also enables students to have hands on experience from an educational perspective, instead of just learning from textbooks, as data from solar panels will be streamlined in real time from an energy dashboard that will be set up."

According to Beebe, students will be able to see how the project performs, because “70 percent of the buildings will be sub-metered, which will allow us to see how much energy and hot water is being consumed and how much energy is being produced in real time.”