Le Moyne College Generates Power, Saves Money
SYRACUSE, NY – Installation of Solar Panels Will Help Le Moyne Generate Power and Save Money
Beginning next spring, Le Moyne College will see a reduction in its carbon footprint with the installation of a 21- kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of Foery Hall, a four-story residence hall on campus. The system is being donated by Buffalo-based Solar Liberty and is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Once operational, the rooftop solar panels installed on Foery Hall will produce 20,885 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Over the expected 25-year life of the system, it is estimated that the panels will save Le Moyne approximately $106,000.
“This is the first time Le Moyne will have a solar panel system on our campus,” said Jim Dishaw, senior director of facilities management and planning. “The system will be installed by Solar Liberty and will feed into the College’s electric grid. The power generated by the panels will reduce the amount of electricity delivered to Le Moyne by National Grid, particularly during the hot summer months. Beyond the cost savings, solar power is a key component of Le Moyne’s long-term sustainability strategy as we seek innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Solar Liberty is installing the system at no cost to the College. The project is partially funded by a grant from NYSERDA, while the rest of the cost of the design and installation will be donated by Solar Liberty, which is in the process of installing more than 50 solar energy systems at schools and universities across New York state. The first projects were completed in 2008, with the largest an upcoming 5,000-panel 1.1 megawatt project at the SUNY Buffalo Amherst campus.
“Solar energy systems at schools and universities are an especially effective way to demonstrate to students, faculty, and the community that solar power is a practical alternative to buying electricity from the utility companies,” explained Adam Rizzo, president of Solar Liberty. “The cost of solar equipment has gone down, and the public has begun to recognize that having solar panels on your roof can be a mainstream way of lowering energy costs and reducing your environmental impact.”
Aside from saving money, the College will have a much greener building. The system is silent and produces zero pollution. According to Solar Liberty, it will offset the building’s carbon footprint by 16.5 tons of CO2 per year. That is the equivalent emissions offset from burning 1,687 gallons of gasoline or the amount of carbon sequestered annually by 3.2 acres of pine forest, according the US Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more about sustainability at Le Moyne by clicking here.
Solar Liberty has been installing hundreds of solar energy systems statewide for government, commercial, and residential customers. Recent installations have been completed at the Syracuse City Hall Commons and a large 250 kW system for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. Major upcoming installations are the Rochester International Airport and Syracuse’s Westcott Reservoir.
Solar Liberty is the largest solar electric installer in New York state with offices in Buffalo and Syracuse. Founded in 2003, the company installs grid-tied photovoltaic solar energy systems for government, nonprofit, education, commercial, and residential customers. Named by Inc. Magazine as the 5th fastest growing private company in the US energy sector in 2008, Solar Liberty is committed to creating turnkey renewable energy solutions with high-quality components. Visit www.solarliberty.com for more information.
Le Moyne College Magazine
