May 26, 2003—The largest solar electric system at any university in the worldand one of the largest solar energy systems in the nation, according to PowerLight Corp.will be installed at California State University, Hayward this summer. The project was authorized by the board of trustees of the California State University system on March 12 and is awaiting additional internal campus approval.
The 1.05 megawatt solar electric system, built by Northern California-based PowerLight, will provide a cost-effective source of electricity, leveraging the areas sunlight, Shugar said. The on-site solar generation system will deliver approximately 30 percent of the campus peak electricity demand during the summer months.
Cal State Hayward’s solar system, covering over 110,000 square feet, will feature both rooftop and ground-mounted installations, leveraging currently unused assets—rooftops and land. The solar rooftop array will be installed on three of the university’s largest buildings, Physical Education, Music and Business and Meiklejohn Hall. The ground-mounted solar tracking system, which captures up to 30 percent more energy than fixed systems by following the sun, will be installed in an unused field.
The $7.11 million project will generate roughly 1,450,000 kilowatt hours annually, producing enough electricity in the daytime to power more than 1,000 homes. Construction is expected to be completed on the campus buildings by July 2003. The cost of the new solar energy system to the university will be approximately $3.55 million, which is being financed over 15 years through utility savings from the project, according to Richard Metz, vice president, Administration and Business Affairs. Another $3.55 million will be paid through a rebate from the California Public Utilities Commission that will be provided to the university through Pacific Gas and Electric.
There are 23 CSU campuses. Solar energy will provide the university with operational flexibility, says Metz.
For more information, contact PowerLight.
