UCi goes solar

On January 30, UCI signed a contract with UPC Solar to design, install, own and maintain a 1 megawatt photovoltaic solar system. The system will be comprised of 6,500 solar panels installed on the rooftops of 11 campus buildings. This project puts UCI among the first to help the UC system reach its goal of providing 10 megawatts of local renewable power by 2014.



UCI will purchase clean, green power from UPC. Although there is no net change in electricity costs to UCI, the solar power system will deliver an annual reduction of approximately 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide. Kiosks located strategically around the campus will monitor the system and provide ready information to the campus community about how much electriity is being generated and carbon offset.

Construction wll in May 2008 and extend 6 months to a year. Matt Gudorf of the Facilities Renovation Team will manage the project for UCI.