It is projected to save more than 7.1 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year, which is equivalent to removing 1,547 cars from the road annually or eliminating the carbon dioxide emissions from more than 800,000 gallons of gasoline, according to the university.
According to CUA, the solar farm is now the region’s “largest urban ground-mounted solar array, underscoring our commitment to innovative and sustainable energy solutions.” The university is leasing the land to Standard Solar (owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners), which owns and operates the panels and pays rent to CUA.
The project incurred about $1.6 million in initial costs for the university (nearly one-third of which was covered by tax incentives). Standard Solar also benefits from the Solar Investment Tax Credit, and those who receive energy produced from the solar panels are eligible for credits, which reduces the cost of their energy bills.
Over the next two decades, the university estimates that those receiving energy from solar panels will save about $3.5 million in total.
Scott Wiater, the president and CEO of Standard Solar, told CNA the project is “unique” due to its urban location, noting that most large solar farms are built in rural areas. Having a solar farm so close to a large population, he added, reduces the utility costs normally required to transport the energy to its users.
Peter Kilpatrick, the president of CUA, said during the dedication ceremony that the debut of the solar array was “a significant milestone.” He praised “the high value of collaboration” between the government of the District of Columbia, the solar company, and the university, saying it shows a “shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
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