University of Delaware to Save $30,000 a Year with Solar Power System

November 30th, 2010 by Zachary Shahan

The University of Delaware has the oldest solar lab in the nation and is now looking to deck its rooftops with solar panels (perhaps now is a good time to go solar). The University of Delaware has announced that its new solar system (almost up and running) will save the University over $30,000 a year (or even as much as $60,000 per year, if electricity prices rise as people are expecting they will). This is 1/3 to 2/3 the cost of the system (which has a price tag of $90,000), meaning it will pay for itself in 3 years.

This 1-MW project will also make the University the largest solar-power generator in Delaware (OK, not the largest state in the country, but still…). However, with Delaware Technical & Community College leaders planning a 1.6-MW solar project, that title may not last for long.

Of course, researchers at the Energy Institute, the University of Delaware’s groundbreaking energy lab, wish the University had got on the solar bandwagon sooner. But they are happy that it has now, at least.

“It’s been frustrating at times,” Steve Hegedus of the Energy Institute said. “I can’t believe it’s taken this long, but it finally has some energy behind it.”

Delaware Online reports that a big stimulus for new renewable energy projects in Delaware such as this one was state legislation this year requiring that utilities get more of their power from renewable energy sources.

“Momentum for renewable energy has sparked significant spending and investment at campuses across the state, making them forerunners to the green-energy initiatives that state leaders have proposed,” Wade Malcom of Delaware Online writes. “Perhaps the most consequential came this summer with legislation that requires utility companies here to derive 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025.”

Looks like Delaware has the solar bug.

via CalFinder Solar

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Photo Credit: mathplourde via flickr (CC license)

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Tags: Delaware, Delaware Technical & Community College, Energy Institute, Steve Hegedus, University of Delaware

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Anonymous

What a joke. Today is a sunny day and they are generating 210 kw not a megawatt. It’s all part of UD’s creative accounting and the shell game they play with funds. I’m sure the Federal grant and State rebates aren’t mentioned either. Shame
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http://www.ecogreenies.com Green Directory

Maybe if they keep this up, They can lower tuition by couple thousand.
Bill Woods

“This is 1/3 to 2/3 the cost of the system (which has a price tag of $90,000), …”

That $90k isn’t the cost of the system, it’s just part of the cost of installing the system:

“The cost to UD for its new panels is about $90,000, mostly to reconfigure old rooftops to accommodate solar equipment. The university’s supplier, Standard Solar, pays the price of the panels and installation. UD agrees to buy the energy from Standard Solar produced at a rate 15 percent below what it pays now.”
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20101114/NEWS03/11140372/1008/Campuses-go-solar [p.2]
Andrew

1 MW for $90,000?! That is way too cheap. What is missing from this cost.

At this price I want the name of the installer, need them to do the same on my towns school roof’s ASAP.
- http://www.zacharyshahan.com Zachary Shahan
  
  the university and installer have worked out a deal — lower upfront cost and a guaranteed, long-term contract (if i remember correctly now)