ABOVE PHOTO: General Services Building solar panel array, looking east toward campus.
University of Wisconsin-Stout’s largest solar photovoltaic array to date has been installed at Jarvis Hall Technology Wing, part of a multibuilding solar and energy efficiency upgrades project.
Contracted under Trane Inc., Eagle Point Solar of Dubuque, Iowa, recently installed 560 VSUN solar panels mounted on individually ballasted racking on the roof of the Technology Wing, which has a 24,160-square-foot high roof and a 14,801-square-foot low roof.
The panels will supply 200 kilowatts to Jarvis Hall Tech Wing and adjacent buildings. VSUN is a global company providing high-performance solar modules for reliable green power generation.
“Components of the system to support the solar panel will be on display at ground level outside Jarvis Hall Science Wing,” said Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel. “We intend to provide educational information at the viewing location to provide students, staff and visitors with details about the project and how it benefits our campus and the environment.”
The display and information are still to be designed and determined.
Jarvis Hall Technology and Science wings house labs and classrooms for College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management programs, as well as a greenhouse and the Math Teaching and Learning Center. More than 1,000 students have hands-on learning opportunities in these buildings each year.
The university’s General Services Building received solar panels this past week, which will supply 114.4 kilowatts to that building and adjacent buildings. “For reference, the system can power 10 to 20 average homes per day depending on season and weather,” explained Engineering Specialist Josh Kohnke.
As part of the project, upgraded LED lighting was installed in Applied Arts, Harvey Hall, Jarvis Hall and the Sports and Fitness Center, saving an estimated 1,274,449 kilowatt-hours. Destratification fans, which will provide an even greater reduction in energy usage, were installed in Johnson Fieldhouse and the Multipurpose Room of the Sports and Fitness Center; and building envelope weatherization improvements are planned for 22 campus buildings.
The engineering design report determined the project will reduce campus annual electric energy purchases by 9% and natural gas usage by 2%. It is expected to save UW-Stout approximately $172,187 annually. Payback on the cost is expected in about 16 years.
