In 2005 Monmouth University, a private school in West Long Branch, installed a 454-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) system on four campus buildings. At the time, the system was the largest array at any university east of the Mississippi River. Recently, the school has that it will install PV systems on seven additional campus buildings, increasing its current PV production capacity by about 200 kilowatts (kW).
The new systems will be installed by and partner Power generated by the PV systems will be purchased under a long-term power purchase agreement. In addition to the seven buildings receiving solar panels, six buildings have been coated with a cool roof coating, which blocks the suns heat and UV rays, reducing interior temperatures and cooling costs.
image via altPOWER
Over the years, Monmouth University has initiated several green building and campus sustainability projects, distinguishing itself among. In 2009, Monmouth became the first independent university in New Jersey to sign a comprehensive green operating agreement through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) program. The school says that it has since reduced its carbon footprint by 11,299 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (approximately equivalent to removing 2,160 vehicles from the road for a year).
Other recent campus sustainability projects at the school includea car sharing program, use of hybrid vehicles and solar golf carts, energy efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures and appliances, and reuse and recycling of landscape materials.Monmouth University is committed to being a national leader in sustainable energy and will continue to implement programs to create a more energy efficient and environmentally responsible environment for our students and employees, said President Paul G. Gaffney II.
Read More: Monmouth University Gets More Solar PV via Feedproxy.google.com.