Rutgers University Opens Seven-acre Solar Energy Facility, Accepts 2009 Energy Educator Award from State

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – President Richard L. McCormick of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, today hosted New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) President Jeanne M. Fox; BPU Commissioner Joseph Fiordaliso; and members of the Rutgers community to mark the official opening of the university’s seven-acre solar energy facility. The facility is one of the largest renewable energy systems on a single campus in the United States.

The 1.4 megawatt solar farm generates approximately 11 percent of the electrical demand of the Livingston Campus, reduces the university’s carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,300 tons per year and is expected to save Rutgers more than $200,000 in its first year of operation.

Nearly half of the $10 million cost of the project – $4.9 million – will be subsidized by a rebate through the BPU’s Clean Energy Program.

“As an institution, Rutgers is a national leader in bringing environmentally sound practices to higher education,” President McCormick said. “By partnering with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to build this remarkable solar energy facility, Rutgers demonstrates our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.”

“Rutgers’ work to promote energy efficiency and generate renewable energy has set an outstanding example of how to be a part of New Jersey’s clean energy future, as envisioned in Governor Corzine’s comprehensive Energy Master Plan,” BPU president Fox said. “The university’s work will help reduce its carbon footprint while reducing energy costs.”

In addition, Rutgers has been named the 2009 Energy Educator of the Year. As part of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Leadership Awards, the annual honor recognizes a school, college or university for its efforts to improve the energy efficiency and use of renewable technologies in its facilities and for implementing specific programs and activities that include energy education and student involvement.

 Engineers, teachers and students of all ages have toured Rutgers’ solar energy facility.

 “Education is key to building support and creating the behavioral changes needed for the future growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency,” Commissioner Fred Butler of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said. “Rutgers’ work incorporating education into their projects is a model for enhancing awareness about the many public benefits of a clean energy future.”

“We are profoundly honored to receive this award,” McCormick said. “I extend my congratulations and sincere thanks to the skilled and dedicated staffs in units across the university who help Rutgers fulfill its obligation to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency and safeguard our environment.”

The Energy Educator Award recognizes a number of Rutgers projects and initiatives:

·        Rutgers has completed a universitywide audit of lighting and will begin a five-year program to replace all lighting with high efficiency lighting and sensors. When the project is completed, it will reduce Rutgers’ CO2 output by more than 23,000 tons a year, with an annual savings of more than $5.5 million.

·        Based on recommendations from a 2007 water audit on the Livingston and Busch campuses, the university has reduced consumption by 255 million gallons per year.

·        Engineering professors regularly tour the university’s 14 megawatt cogeneration plant.

·        Students are using data from the lighting audit to do research on energy conservation.

·        Rutgers Department of Facilities and Capital Planning works with the Rutgers Center for Advance Energy Systems as well as researchers from the Rutgers Energy Institute in sharing its knowledge of renewable energy projects and providing data for research.

Established in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is America’s eighth oldest institution of higher learning and one of the nation’s premier public research universities. Serving more than 54,000 students on campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick, Rutgers offers more than 280 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs. The university is home to 27 degree-granting schools and colleges and more than 150 specialized centers and institutes.