GHG Emissions, Solar, Sourcing Renewables - March 26, 2019
Fordham University adds more solar
Fordham University has completed the installation of a 963-kilowatt solar panel array atop a five-story parking garage on its Rose Hill campus. The array is expected to be operational in April, continuing Fordham’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint through the use of renewable energy.
The array, which comprises 2,790 individual solar panels, is the second to be installed at Rose Hill and will generate electricity for use throughout the campus. The University partnered with EnterSolar for the design, development, and installation of the array. In 2010, 84 panels were installed on the roof of William D. Walsh Family Library, generating 25 kilowatts for the library, Rose Hill’s most energy-intensive building.
Fordham News reported that the University has also begun drawing renewable energy from off-site sources, including the largest solar system in New York City to date. In July, Fordham signed a 20-year agreement with EnterSolar to purchase electricity generated at a 10-acre, 9,000 solar panel installation in Staten Island. The system will generate up to 2.6 megawatts of solar power annually, which will be credited to Fordham’s energy usage.
These power sources can provide more than 20% of the total electric consumption at Fordham when operating at maximum production, making the University the largest consumer of locally installed solar capacity of any college in New York City, according to Marco A Valera, vice president of facilities management and sustainability at Fordham. The combined on- and off-site arrays will also save $2200,000 a year over a 20-year period.
In 2007, Fordham accepted the New York City Carbon Challenge and committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. In the fall of 2017, the University extended its commitment to the challenge by pledging a 40% reduction by 2030.
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