A New Source of Revenue? William Paterson University Dedicates the Largest Solar Energy Facility in the Country

Alan Braslow
Managing Director
Executive Outcomes, LLC
William Paterson University has dedicated a solar energy installation on its campus in Wayne, New Jersey that is the largest solar facility at a university in the nation. It is expected to save millions of dollars in energy costs for the University while supplying 15 to 20 percent of the institution?s energy needs.

This project will enable WPU to save an estimated $4.3 million in energy costs over the next 15 years, while also reducing their carbon footprint. By formulating a public-private partnership to develop this project, with no capital costs to the University, this move is a revenue generator.

The installation will be capable of supplying 3.5 megawatts of clean, low-cost energy. The first 3-megawatt phase has been completed; a second 500-kilowatt phase is sched-uled to go online in 2011.

The project was developed through a public-private partnership between a leading inde-pendent solar power producer and a solar power system integrator. The entire project is privately financed and will be owned and operated under a 15-year power purchase agreement. The University will buy the solar power at a reduced rate with no up-front costs.

One key concept that has led to the success of this project is the public and private partnership, without which this project would not have been completed.

The solar parking lot canopies that were designed and installed at William Paterson University offer a unique solution to limited ground and rooftop space, while delivering an efficient system that is going to save the university millions of dollars in energy costs.

To keep the campus informed about the University?s energy savings, a kiosk, to be located in the Science Building, will constantly display the amount of energy pro-duced by the solar panels and the concurrent savings accrued in real time.

William Paterson University has made a strong commitment to energy conserva-tion. The institution recently received a $1.2 million federal grant to upgrade the controls for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems on campus. As of June 2007, the University is a charter signatory in the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), a national initiative with a goal of carbon neutrality at member institutions. The University is also certified under the N.J. Department of Environmental Protec-tion Environmental Stewardship program, became an EPA Waste Wise Partner and was recognized by the New Jersey Higher Ed Partnership for sustainability with an Energy and Climate Action Award for meritorious achievement.

William Paterson University is one of the nine state colleges and universities in New Jersey. It offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five colleges: Arts and Communication; Cotsakos College of Business; Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Science and Health. Located on 370 hilltop acres in Wayne, the University enrolls more than 11,200 students and provides housing for nearly 2,300 students.

To learn how your institution can do the same as WPU contact: Alan Braslow, Managing Director, Executive Outcomes LLC, at 856-229-7646 or Alan@execoutcomes.com.