Email

Print

  Solar News

University of Delaware to gain 850kW solar array

The Delaware Field House is to host the largest single rooftop installation in the state of Delaware

Maryland-based solar installer Standard Solar, Inc., is to set up an 850-kilowatt solar generating facility at the University of Delaware.

The rooftop project is being jointly developed with solar finance specialist Perpetual Energy Systems (PES), comprising more than 2,000 solar panels.

UD’s panels will be installed over three buildings throughout the school’s main campus in Newark: the Delaware Field House at the David Nelson Athletic Complex off South College Avenue, at Clayton Hall on the Laird Campus off Route 896 and at 461 Wyoming Road.

The largest array of solar panels, which is planned for the Delaware Field House, will be the largest single rooftop installation in the state of Delaware.

The project will be funded in part from the University of Delaware’s 2009 senior class gift.

“Idea leadership”

UD President Patrick Harker said: “This project is another example of idea leadership and is in keeping with the Path to Prominence Initiative for the Planet and our ongoing efforts to become ‘The Green University.’”

UD has already gained a reputation as a pioneer in the field of photovoltaics, with a wide range of research both technical and in energy policy.

The university’s research in solar energy has resulted in the development of 10 new technologies, eight of which are now patented, and 60 percent of these solar innovations have been licensed, all to U.S. companies.

“The University of Delaware has taken a national leadership role among universities with its sustainable efforts, and we look forward to helping them bring solar energy to Delaware,” said Scott Wiater, president, Standard Solar. “With this installation, UD will have the state’s largest single rooftop solar installation.”

UD’s array is the first project installed by Standard Solar and jointly owned with its partner PES, a comprehensive financier of solar powered renewable energy systems, since they announced their partnership in June of this year.