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

  • University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

    The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • Wisconsin District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The School District of La Crosse in La Crosse, Wis., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff of two existing schools, according to local news. Funding for the school comes from a $53-million referendum approved in 2024.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.