Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Colorado State Signs for Solar Installation

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 11/05/20

Colorado State University recently took action that will move the Fort Collins institution closer to its goal of shifting all of its energy needs to renewable electricity by 2030. The school signed a deal with Namasté Solar and Solaris Energy for a 10 megawatt solar system.

Namasté will develop, design and construct solar arrays at up to 30 sites, including rooftops, carports and ground mounts, at the university's campuses and provide long-term operations and maintenance. Solaris will set up the financing and then own and manage the systems as a part of its larger asset portfolio. Colorado State will retain ownership of renewable energy credits attributed to the new systems.

"CSU is a leader in many aspects of sustainability and we are always proud of that," said Carol Dollard, a utility engineer at the school, in a university article. "Sustainability in operations is actually the area where we have the most room for improvement and this project helps us close that gap. More solar installations will continue to advance carbon reductions and help us on the path to 100-percent renewable electricity."

Dollard said that CSU campuses currently consumed 170 million kilowatt hours. Current solar installations generated about 10 million kWh. That means reaching the goal will probably require other forms of renewable energy too, such as wind.

Construction and installation of the latest project are expected to begin in the first half of 2021 with project completion set for late 2022.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • William Penn Charter School

    Richard A. Balderston OPC’69 Lower School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Richard A. Balderston OPC’69 Lower School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.