In late December 2013, Delaware Technical Community College became host to Delaware’s largest combined use of carport, rooftop, and ground mount arrays in a solar installation. Standard Solar, Inc. (one of Solar Power World’s Top 250 Contractors) installed the 800 kW, 2,645 panel solar system, which includes solar installations at all four Delaware Technical Community College locations.
Financing for the expected annual 1,075 MWh project was arranged through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement by Urban Grid Holdings, LLC (Urban Grid), a specialist in the development and financing of mid- to large-sized commercial solar projects.
The project’s solar modules, a product of Motech Americas, LLC of Newark, represent the state’s largest use of Delaware manufactured modules in an academic setting.
“As a provider of energy education, it is important that our own operations serve as a role model for our students, for the businesses we serve, and for the community,” says Dr. Orlando J. George, Jr., college president. “These solar panels put the College well on its way to achieving a 20% reduction in its carbon footprint in the next couple of years.”
Each installation will provide power to its own site with the exception of the Wilmington Carport, which uses aggregate net-metering to power two other sites. The arrays are expected to offset approximately 6% of the annual total energy needs of the four sites.
Standard Solar
www.standardsolar.com
Urban Grid
www.urbangridco.com
Delaware Technical Community College
www.dtcc.edu