Solar array on Washington and Lee parking deck.
Two solar photovoltaic arrays with a total capacity of 444 kilowatts on the Washington and Lee University campus met their performance goals for the first six months of 2012.
The first solar array, with a capacity of 119 kilowatts, operates on a canopy over the upper deck of the University's parking structure. Lewis Hall, home of the Washington and Lee School of Law, hosts the second array, a rooftop installation with a capacity of 325 kilowatts. Both systems began operations in December 2011. The University is leasing the solar-energy system from Secure Futures, a solar energy development company based in Staunton, Va.
"The overall performance of the arrays has met our expectations," said Scott Beebe, director of energy initiatives at Washington and Lee. "The system runs each day without any special attention on our part. I have been very pleased with the performance."
System-performance ratio for the period was 99 percent of expected performance measured at the site of each array. Mild temperatures boosted performance in both systems during the winter and spring, and slightly dampened performance during June, when temperatures were higher than average near the end of the month..
The University’s goal has been to have the solar power reduce the amount of electricity that it purchases from Dominion Power by 3 percent annually, said Beebe, and the current level of performance should meet that goal.
• View realtime statistics at http://go.wlu.edu/solar
• Watch a video about the installation at http://vimeo.com/33231918
“Solar-energy operators project performance of a system based on how much sun they expect to shine on the geographical area where the system is installed. Many people may not realize that solar irradiance actually varies from one year to the next, based on local weather,” said Anthony Smith, CEO of Secure Futures. “Given the amount of sun that the solar panels at Washington and Lee received during the first six months of 2012, the system has performed exceedingly well thus far.”
The Lexington area received lower-than-projected sunshine during the period, resulting in 7 percent lower irradiance than projected at both systems. The reduction in sunshine is likely due to the occasional presence of mountain-effect weather and river fog specific to Lexington.
Combined, the two solar arrays on campus represent one of the most powerful solar-energy systems in the state of Virginia and one of the largest photovoltaic systems installed at a private institution of higher education anywhere in the United States. Solar energy is one component of the University's program to save energy and promote sustainability. Other areas include composting, using local and organic foods, purchasing, transportation and the management of physical plant. In addition, departments ranging from the University store to printing and copying services have committed to using fewer resources and generating less waste.
News Contacts:
Jeffery G. Hanna
Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Washington and Lee University
jhanna@wlu.edu
(540) 458-8459
Erik Curren
Director of Marketing
Secure Futures
erik@securefutures.us
(540) 466-6128
Great article and video, thanks for sharing
More and more organizations are realizing that solar not only makes sense for the environment, it makes sense for their bottom lines.
I find it interesting that there's no mention of the cost/benefit analysis of this decision. I suspect W&L is losing or has lost money on this project.
Steve McAllister, Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, replies: The University entered into the arrangement for the generation of solar power recognizing that it represents a long-term investment into a renewable energy form. Through the federal and state subsidies and tax incentives that were in place at the time, the University was able to enter into an arrangement with Secure Futures that would allow it to benefit from a significant portion of these that it otherwise would not have been able to as a not-for-profit. The financial analysis that was done includes assumptions on electrical rates, valuations of solar renewable energy credits and the ability to utilize this source of energy to shave peak demand load from our primary provider. Whether the project proves to be cost-neutral or not will be dependent on whether these assumptions prove accurate over the life of the project. To date, assumptions related to underlying electrical costs have been favorable while those related to the solar renewable energy credits have not. The project was incorporated into a comprehensive set of initiatives at the University to reduce energy usage and carbon footprint. These initiatives have included capital investment in systems and structures across the University along with dedicated efforts to alter behavior on campus to drive down energy consumption. These efforts have proven very effective over the last eighteen months as the University has reduced its energy consumption by over 17%. Our carbon footprint, which we measure annually in the fall of each year, is expected to near our 2010 target of a 20% reduction by 2020 when measured later this year. In aggregate, the University has seen its utility expenses decline by 26% over the last three years as the community began to take more seriously its role for conservation and sustainability.