Jan 13 2010
A 500-kW solar power system was completed on the roof of one of Harvard University’s buildings, Arsenal on the Charles complex in Watertown, Mass. The completion of the system was announced by CarbonFree Technology, Integrys Energy Services, and SunPower.
The rooftop solar power system is capable of generating electricity that is enough to power about 83 Massachusetts homes every year according the estimates of CarbonFree Technology. The output is equal to offsetting 367 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year based on the average carbon emissions of the grid electricity in the state of Massachusetts.
The multi-storey building was purchased by Harvard in the year 2001. Joseph Gregory, assistant director of sustainability at Harvard Real Estate Services, said that the building has flat and unshaded roof, which is suitable for rooftop solar power system. The building was constructed during World War I and its roof has been upgraded.
The bidding process for the solar project was initiated by Harvard in March 2009. The tender was for installing, owning and operating the system. CarbonFree Technology won the bid and in partnership with SunPower had designed and installed the system. The company will be providing operational and maintenance services also as per the tender proposal.
The rooftop system comprises SunPower T5 Solar Roof Tile. This solar tile is a single pre-engineered unit combining a high-efficiency solar panel from SunPower, frame and mounting system, which is first in the solar industry. When compared to the rooftop solar system that is flat mounted, this T5 Solar Roof Tile when tilted at angle of 5 degrees is capable of generating double the power per square meter.
Crimson Solar, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Services, owns the rooftop solar system. With no upfront cost, Harvard will be purchasing the power generated from the system for a period of 25 years at a fixed rate. Solar renewable energy certificates that are associated with the system will rest with Harvard University.
Source: www.sunpowercorp.com