University of Toledo Solar Array
August 26, 2020
JDRM worked with students in the University of Toledo’s Engineering programs on a 2.3-acre solar array expected to produce $700,000+ worth of electricity over its 25-year life span and save the university approximately $30,000 a year.
According to UtoledoNEWS, First Solar, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar cells and a company that originated in UToledo laboratories, donated 365 kilowatts of its Series 5 modules valued at $192,000 to the University in 2017. Approximately 10% of the donated modules are being reserved for maintenance.
A senior design team made up of UToledo students studying mechanical, industrial, and manufacturing engineering worked with UToledo Facilities and Construction to identify the site and prepared construction engineering drawings with assistance from JDRM Engineering. The UToledo Student Green Fund approved spending $350,000 to cover the costs to install the array. The construction contract was awarded to Solscient Energy LLC after a public bidding of the project.
The projected electrical production over the 25-year life of the system will be more than $700,000, enough to power about 60 homes annually. “The University of Toledo continues to reduce its carbon footprint and strengthen its commitment to a clean energy future,” said Dr. Randy Ellingson, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Thanks to First Solar’s generous donation of modules and UToledo working to keeping costs down, the array will produce some of the lowest cost solar energy in the state of Ohio. We are excited to connect our students to these solar projects. They gain valuable experience with this fast-growing energy technology that generates carbon-free electricity directly from sunlight.”
Check out coverage of the ribbon cutting on 24 News
Thanks to Mike Green, UToledo director of sustainability and energy, for this photo of the solar array on the University of Toledo Health Science Campus.
