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Project Updates for collection: Renewable Energy Projects

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  2. capacity question for rooftop solar

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar PVs at Idea Garden

    The annual usage of electricity at the Idea Garden shed is much lower than the proposed solar array will provide.  Because this building is currently powered by Ameren and not connected to the campus electrical grid, there will be a loss of any kilowatt-hours not used during the course of one year. 

  3. archived info - previous project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar PVs at Idea Garden

    The Master Gardeners are interested in adding rooftop solar PVs to the garden shed to the east of the Idea Garden in the Arboretum. The Idea Garden is a community garden planned, managed and maintained by the Champaign County Master Gardener volunteers.

    The accompanying map shows the layout of the garden, The solar panels would be installed at shed (A) and provide power to building. The power grid would be extended to the garden to power light fixtures and outlets at sites B1-B4, C and D. Remodeling of the Idea Garden to provide access for people with disabilities is scheduled to begin in 2016, so this would be an opportune time to install underground cables. A small parking lot is also to be built at D. Funding for the proposed installation is not available from the grant supporting the remodel.

  6. Now is your chance! Get solar at home or for your organization

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Urbana-Champaign

    Solar Urbana-Champaign bulk solar purchase program returns and expands in 2018
     
    The successful Solar Urbana-Champaign group purchasing program is available again in 2018. Since 2016, the program led to the installation of over 1 megawatt of solar on 138 properties across Champaign County. The program educated hundreds of individuals about solar and helped people save on solar through volume purchasing.
     
    In 2018 the program expands eligibility to Piatt County residents as well. And, thanks to new state legislation, even more people can get access to solar. To increase awareness across Champaign and Piatt Counties, Midwest Renewable Energy Association partnered with Champaign-based Prairie Rivers Network, which champions clean, healthy rivers and lakes and safe drinking water to benefit the people and wildlife of Illinois.
     
    “The electricity that has been produced by the 1,050 kW of solar the program contracted in 2016 and 2017 offset around 1.5 million lbs of CO2 being released into atmosphere in those systems’ first years,” said Scott Tess, Environmental Sustainability Manager at the City of Urbana. “That amount of solar energy will also save almost 20 million gallons of water from use in thermoelectric power plants that run on coal or natural gas.” The program is administered by the MREA at no cost to the cities or the counties. MREA has successfully implemented similar programs in other jurisdictions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bloomington-Normal, and elsewhere. 
     
    Solar Power Hours are free and open to the public. For the month of June, the following Solar Power Hours will be held:

    Additional Solar Power Hours are posted on the website. 
     

  7. Rooftop Solar work to start this summer

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECE Rooftop Solar PVs

    The 235,000 GSF facility for the Electrical and Computer Engineering department will integrate instruction and research. This project is to reinforce structural steel members in the building for the future placement of a rooftop solar array. There are 970 modules to install with a total DC power rating of 272 kW.

  8. Solar Urbana-Champaign 3.0 launches

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Urbana-Champaign

    Solar Urbana-Champaign is back with version 3.0! 

    • New options for renters, homeowners, commercial property owners, businesses, and farm owners.
    • Now available in Piatt County in addition to Champaign County.
    • Solar Power Hour presentations all summer long.
    • September 30 sign-up deadline.
    • Solar Power Hour kick-off events: Wednesday, May 16 in Urbana and Thursday, May 17 in Monticello (see below).

    The successful Solar Urbana-Champaign group purchasing program is available again in 2018. Since 2016, the program has led to the installation of over 1 megawatt of solar on 138 properties across Champaign County. The program has educated hundreds of individuals about solar and helped people save on solar through volume purchasing.
    Now, the program expands eligibility to Piatt County residents as well as Champaign County residents. And, thanks to new state legislation, even more people can get access to solar.
    Start by attending a Solar Power Hour (full calendar below). This free information session teaches you the basics of solar, its financial implications for your household, and how the solar group buy program works. Then, get a free, no obligation site assessment from the competitively selected solar installer for Solar Urbana-Champaign 3.0.
    This program was brought to you by the City of Urbana, Prairie Rivers Network, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Assocation. We welcome everyone to help spread the word!
    If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know by responding directly to this email. Shine on!

    - Peter
     

  9. EGen008 Pursue Solar PPA recommendation - Assessment started

    Associated Project(s): 
    Clean Power Agreements Off-Campus
    eGen Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) met on May 10, 2018, to discuss and start the assessment of SWATeam recommendation, EGen008 Pursue Solar PPA. The iWG's draft comment on the recommendation was:

    "We support this recommendation. We should issue an RFP for a PPA.”

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen008 Pursue Solar PPA here.

  14. EGen008 Pursue Solar PPA recommendation - Submittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Clean Power Agreements Off-Campus
    Energy Generation, Purchasing, & Distribution (eGen) SWATeam
    eGen Recommendations Summary

    The eGen SWATeam submitted a recommendation, to the iWG, stating, "Explore the option of a PPA with a local solar developer."

    See attached the SWATeam recommendation, EGen008 Pursue Solar PPA, complete with comments from all the eGen SWATeam members.

    Attached Files: 

  18. steam use at greenhouses

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at the Energy Farm

    The Deep Direct Use geothermal project has completed a preliminary assessment of steam use for greenhouses on UIUC campus. Steam usage in the greenhouses at Turner Hall and Plant Sciences building were compared with Lincoln Hall (pre and post renovations) for the period 2013-2018.

     

    Generally, the steam use in greenhouses is 3-5 times higher (mmBTU per square foot) than in an academic building. Together, the greenhouses have produced ~25MT CO2/MWh) over the 5-year period.

  20. iWG meeting minutes April 9th, 2018

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Sustainability Council
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Green Lab Program
    Bike Sharing
    iSEE Campus as a Living Lab (CALL) Projects
    EPA SmartWay Affiliate
    Geothermal on Campus
    Energy Generation, Purchasing, & Distribution (eGen) SWATeam
    Topical iCAP Teams

    Attached are the meeting minutes from the iWG meeting that was held on April 9th, 2018.

    Attached Files: 

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