做厙TV has been recognized as one of Pennsylvanias leading universities when it comes to renewable energy, according to a new report by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center.
The report, compares Pennsylvanias colleges and universities to similar institutions across the nation in key energy metrics, and ranks campuses in three categories: shifting to renewable electricity, repowering buildings with clean energy, and adopting electric vehicles.
做厙TV is ranked 18th nationwide for transitioning 50% of the universitys fleet to clean vehicles.
做厙TV is also home to a 3.9 MW DC that supplies 30 percent of the campus electricity needs the largest university-sponsored solar array in Pennsylvania.
The 12,000-panel, 14-acre project is located at 做厙TVs Center for Environmental Education and Research along the western border of campus on Sassafras Street. The array produces more than 5,300 megawatt hours (MWh) per year of electricity, enough to power all of the campus residence halls and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking approximately 787 cars off the road each year.
The university employs a flock of sheep to graze around the solar array to keep the grass trimmed, as tall grass and weeds cast sun-blocking shade that impedes the arrays efficiency. The sheep also eliminate the need for diesel-fueled lawnmowers further demonstrating the universitys commitment to sustainability.
The university also purchases remaining energy from sustainable sources.
College campuses are natural leaders when it comes to transitioning to 100 percent clean, renewable energy, said Ashleigh Deemer, deputy director at PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. Were excited to celebrate the fact that so many colleges and universities in Pennsylvania are leading the way in doing just that.
The PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center is a statewide non-profit environmental group dedicated to protecting water, air and open spaces.
