Solar Power for Academic Institutions
Many schools, colleges and universities are now under severe financial pressures, and they are eager to save on current electricity costs or hedge against future price increases by turning to solar power for at least part of their load. Even better, they can do this without making any upfront capital expenditures thanks to solar PPAs.
CarbonFree Technology works with academic institutions to analyze their solar resource, indentify available incentives and design optimal systems. We make sense of solar – taking care of every aspect of a project from the initial structural analysis to the final commissioning and ongoing maintenance. Systems can be mounted wherever they best suit your organization: on rooftops, above ground-level or multi-storey parking spaces, or on spare land. In some cases donations may be available to cover part of the cost of systems, even in exchange for naming rights – leading to “buydowns” which can further reduce the cost of power.
Benefits for Academic Institutions
- Demonstrate commitment to sustainability to faculty and students
- Help jurisdiction reach carbon-reduction targets
- Help achieve American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment objectives
- Earn points toward LEED® certification
- Take advantage of tax incentives which are otherwise of no value to academic institutions
- Reduce electricity costs (in some cases)
- Hedge against future electricity price increases
- Preserve capital for other uses
What Is Involved
Structural – CarbonFree Technology works with energy decision makers or other appropriate people within your organization to determine whether you can benefit from hosting one or more solar power systems. We engage independent third-party structural engineers to certify that the desired system can be supported, and in the case of rooftop systems we work closely with your own roofing contractors to make sure that roofs are unaffected and roof warranties are maintained.