ASI has installed 520 solar panels across the University Union’s rooftop to support Cal Poly’s goal to supply 30% of total campus electricity consumption through on-site solar generation, according to an ASI press release. This installation will be generating renewable energy for the campus.
Cameron Hawes, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science representative on the University Union Advisory Board, says he is extremely excited about the installation.
“I have been studying sustainability since day one of Cal Poly,” the environmental earth and soil science junior said. “To see those values implemented on campus in such a high profile way with the solar array is super exciting.”
The solar array generates 110 kilowatts of power, producing an estimated 451,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually – enough to power 40 homes a year or equivalent to removing 219 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere every year.
Alongside the existing solar array near the California Men’s Colony, the two installations collectively bring Cal Poly to roughly 30% of its on-site solar generation goal.
ASI’s sustainability work spans over 40 years and is working to ensure that current and future Cal Poly students can experience year-round sustainable practices. Cal Poly has been working towards Cal State’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2045.
Sustainability implementations started in 1978 after California Title 24, Part 6 Compliance was enacted, which requires energy efficient compliance with all applicable ASI-managed facility projects.
The project has been roughly a decade in the making according to Darren Connor, ASI’s assistant director for Facility Operations. Connor described years of discussion and dormancy before the installation could move forward. A large part of this was due to the University Union’s electrical infrastructure not being equipped enough.
“If we had done this project 10 years ago, the University Union couldn’t have handled it,” Connor said.
Before the panels could go up, ASI had to install a piece of equipment referred to as a switch gear in the building’s first floor mechanical room, which regulates incoming power and protects the building from surges and short circuits.
With the university managing funding through a purchase power agreement, ASI’s role was to provide the roof.
To bring the numbers to life, a real-time energy dashboard is currently under development by campus facilities staff alongside student designers. The display is to be mounted on the second floor of the UU, translating figures into tangible reference points.
“Otherwise, 110 kilowatts doesn’t mean much,” Conner said. “But powering 40 homes over the course of a single year, that has meaning.”