Standard Solar Breaks Ground on Solar Canopy Installation for Washington and Lee University

Once complete, the solar canopy installation together with other solar arrays at the University, will comprise the largest solar installation in the state. The University’s move to solar energy complements the numerous sustainability initiatives Washington and Lee has undertaken to date across its campus. The canopy system is expected to generate 166,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually and will eliminate approximately 114 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in its first year of operations, which is equivalent to planting 25 acres of trees. 

“This is an important step for Washington and Lee as part of our continuing emphasis on sustainability,” said Kenneth P. Ruscio, W&L’s president. “This is another instance of how we are aligning our institutional practices with what we preach to our students about their duties as responsible citizens and their obligations to future generations.”

“We’re pleased to support W&L’s sustainability goals by designing, owning and operating Virginia's largest solar PV project to date,” said Dr. Anthony Smith, CEO of Secure Futures.

“We are honored to help Washington and Lee achieve its goals toward environmental responsibility. This commitment to solar energy puts the University at the forefront of a burgeoning movement toward greener, more sustainable campuses across the nation,” said Scott Wiater, President, Standard Solar.

The system to be built atop an existing University parking structure includes 540 Sanyo-manufactured panels, and will feature a complete monitoring system for the PV facility that will collect live data from the solar panels, such as electricity generated, solar irradiance, PV cell temperature and ambient temperature. All of the data will be accessible on a website that will display system photos, historical electricity production data, carbon offset equivalencies and custom reporting capabilities.

The system is made possible with financing through Secure Futures, LLC, with whom Washington and Lee has entered into a 20-year power-purchase agreement to buy the solar-generated electricity.

About Secure Futures

Secure Futures L.L.C. offers clean and affordable solar energy generated on-site to colleges and universities, local governments and other institutions operating in the public interest. Through Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPAs), customers can reduce their electricity costs and protect themselves against future price increases from electric utilities without the high up-front cost of installing their own solar power equipment. Secure Futures is based in Staunton, Va., and may be found online at www.securefutures.us.

About Washington and Lee

Washington and Lee University, the nation’s ninth oldest institution of higher education, is among the nation’s premier liberal arts colleges and universities.  Washington and Lee University provides a liberal arts education that develops students’ capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates are prepared for life-long learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others, and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.

About Standard Solar

Standard Solar, Inc. is a leader in the full-service development, construction, integration, financing and installation of solar electric systems. Dedicated to making solar solutions more accessible to consumers, businesses, institutions and governments, the company is leading the way to energy independence. Committed to offering responsible and energy cost-saving solar solutions that conform to the highest standards, Standard Solar is one of the most trusted and respected solar companies. Since 2004, Standard Solar has been the partner of choice to make solar energy financially accessible, helping customers through financing options, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and navigating expanded federal and state and local tax credits. The company’s Standard Energy Solutions (SES) division provides energy auditing and retrofitting services for energy improvement projects. Named one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America in 2010 and 2011 by Inc. magazine, Standard Solar is headquartered in Rockville, MD. For more information, please visit www.standardsolar.com.

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