If you haven’t been on the Welland Campus roof lately, maybe you haven’t noticed the 500 solar panels that are turning the sun’s light into electricity – and revenue.
Mounted on the roof of the Voyageur Wing, the 95 kW solar photovoltaic system has been officially online since early March and is currently generating an average of 16,000 KWh per month, producing more than $30,000 in revenue. The system is expected to generate 115 MWh each year – enough to power 10 homes. This energy is being fed back to the Welland Hydro grid via the Feed in Tariff (FIT) program. The project was designed and installed with the assistance of Black and McDonald Ltd., and ARISE Technologies.
To monitor the energy generation in real time, and provide a wide range of information on the project and other green technology initiatives at the College, Facilities Management Services (FMS) has launched an online portal. The site shows current output, average output and calculates revenue generated by the system. A carbon footprint window quantifies the energy being offset. It also provides links to College sites, including the sustainability web site and information on the Renewable Energies Technician.
A learning tab offers online lessons and experiments for students, faculty or the public.
The solar panel project is one of many important green initiatives at the College that contribute to the bottom line while promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. The redevelopment of the Welland Campus saw the installation of such features as motion-activated lighting, a geothermal heat pump in the Rankin Technology Centre and green roofs that absorb water and provide insulation. A recent chiller replacement at the Campus has dramatically reduced energy consumption and netted a significant rebate payment under the province’s RETROFIT program.
To learn more about sustainability initiatives at Niagara College, visit the sustainability web site.
