N-G Mailbag question: Output vs. expectations for UI solar farms
Associated Project(s):
Hi, Steve. A News-Gazette Mailbag question for you:
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Projects Updates for Solar Farm 2.0
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Trees at Solar Farm 2.0 are beautiful
Associated Project(s):The trees look great!
FY22 Total Retired RECs
Associated Project(s):Attached is the summary document for the total RECs retired for UIUC in FY22.
Solar Farm Taxes
Associated Project(s):Attached are the Solar Farm taxes for tax year 2021.
Spring 2022: iSEE Quarterly Update (iQ)
Associated Project(s):The Spring 2022 iSEE Quarterly Update (iQ) was released with the following message from Madhu Khanna, the Interim Director of iSEE:
Greetings Colleagues,
FY21 Green Power Partnership Renewed
Associated Project(s):F&S completed the renewal of our recognition as a Green Power Partner through the US Environmental Protection Agency. Green Power Partners of our scale now have to use renewable power for seven percent of their annual consumption. Fortunately, the FY21 green power supply for FY21 was 9%, which is a +1.72% increase from the FY19 supply of 7.28%. See attached file.
Overview submitted:
STARS award finalists
Associated Project(s):The University of Illinois has two submittals that are recognized as finalists for the 2021 Sustainability Awards:
This Week in Research
Associated Project(s):What do giant grasses, micro grids, deep wells, and hydrogen-powered buses all have in common? They are all part of a clean energy future that is being imagined, created, and tested here at UIUC. The breadth of our energy research portfolio, across all of the campus and the broader C-U community, is truly impressive. Here are just a few examples:
Data on Solar Farm 2.0's Panels and Inverters
Associated Project(s):The pdf attached below contains data that was submitted on the panels and inverters in Solar Farm 2.0.
Updated list of sustainability projects that need YOU!!!
Associated Project(s):This is a list of projects that need students to work on. It will be updated periodically by sustainability staff members, the last update was 8/30/21:
ECE energy dashboard refinement in discussion
Associated Project(s):Joyce Mast is working with Patricia Franke to refine the ECE energy displays to include the effect of local weather on the solar panels. F&S Utilities and Energy Services is connecting Joyce with the contact people at Hawkeye Energy Solutions, who incorporated real-time energy data in the ECE energy dashboard, using campus data provided by F&S.
Proposed presentation for AASHE
Associated Project(s):Sol Systems is looking to present at the AASHE’s Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE) sometime from October 12-14 through their request for abstracts on Emerging Issues in the field.
Sol Systems is looking to present on our work expanding the impact of renewable energy projects that would certainly focus on things we did for the U of I project, namely the inclusion of pollinator habitats, zero waste construction and the work with students for their Sustainability Minor Capstone projects.
Article: Can Solar Farms Help Save Bees?
Associated Project(s):Discover Magazine released an article highlighting the biodiversity benefits that can stem from pairing solar farms with pollinator-friendly plants. Supporting its claims with initiatives from universities across the country, the article recognizes the University of Illinois' pollinator habitat at Solar Farm 2.0.
Read the article on Discover Magazine. Or, refer to the PDF of the article in the attached files.
Solar Farm 2.0 pollinator supportive plantings were planted
Associated Project(s):The site was seeded on 6/4/2021.
SSC Semesterly Report: Solar Farm 2.0
Associated Project(s):F&S submitted the Spring 2021 Semesterly Report to the SSC for the Solar Farm 2.0 Landscape Buffer project!
Read the report in the attached files below.
Pollinator Plant Plans Sent to Taylor University
Associated Project(s):F&S provided the attached files to Kerry Shanebrook, the Grounds Superintendent at Taylor University, in regards to pollinator plants under solar arrays.
Article: Pollinator Conservation on Solar Farms
Associated Project(s):Entomology Today released an article highlighting the strategy and benefits behind pairing solar energy with pollinator habitats. Supporting its claims with UIUC and Iowa State initiatives, the article discusses content such as the scorecard approach, efficiency of the positioning of planted vegetation, and restrictions from geographic locations.
Read the article on Entomology Today. Or, refer to the PDF of the article in the attached files.
iSEE Newsletter: Plantings Complete Solar Farm 2.0!
Associated Project(s):The final stage of the Solar Farm 2.0 project is wrapping up this month with the planting of a native pollinator habitat. The farm will serve as a major demonstration and research site for pollinator-friendly solar arrays, with more than 6.5 million flowering plants and native grasses around the 54 acres of panels creating a natural habitat for birds and beneficial insects. With this second solar farm, the campus has achieved clean energy goals outlined in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) nearly four years ahead of schedule.
Article: An Earth Month to Remember
Associated Project(s):The Spring 2021 iSEE Quarterly Update (iQ) highlighted a diverse array of campus initiatives that made this year's Earth Month one to remember. Ranging from hosted events to sustainable energy, the article discusses the launch of the "TED Talk: Eco Edition" series, Solar Farm 2.0, community trash pickup, and more!
Read the article in the attached files below.
Solar Farm 2.0 included in the Chancellor’s "Noteworthy at Illinois” Newsletter
Associated Project(s):Chancellor Jones highlighted the Solar Farm 2.0 "Noteworthy at Illinois" Newsletter. In its final stage, this project makes the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign the third-largest producer of onsite clean power among U.S. universities.