Aerial view of the Round Rock Campus solar panel system.
Austin Community College is expanding its use of solar energy to power campuses. A new system installed at Round Rock Campus has saved the college more than $14,000 in energy costs so far this year. By the end of 2012, the college expects to save more than $40,000 through the Round Rock Campus installation – believed to be the largest solar panel system in the city of Round Rock.
Texas Solar Power Company installed 1,274 solar panels atop Building 5000 in December. The panels are generating two-thirds of the total energy needed to operate the building, and savings from the panels will increase during summer, when there is more daylight to produce electricity.
“This makes sense for our budget and the environment,” says Andy Kim, the college’s director of environmental stewardship. “The panels further ACC’s commitment to sustainable practices while reducing tax dollars spent on electricity.”
Through the end of April, the Round Rock Campus solar installation had an environmental impact equivalent to removing 57 cars from Central Texas roadways.
Round Rock is ACC’s third campus with an extensive solar panel system. The college installed systems at Eastview and Northridge campuses in late 2010, saving the college about $44,000 in energy costs last year.
The Round Rock Campus solar project was funded by a $900,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, with the college contributing $300,000 in matching funds. ACC has received a utility rebate of $315,000 for the project and expects to receive an additional $71,000 by the end of the year.
ACC initiated its collegewide commitment to environmental stewardship in 2009 with the passage of a Board of Trustees policy on sustainable practices. ACC was among 10 institutions to receive the 2012 Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature and the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
“We have accomplished a lot in the last three years,” Kim says. “Every step adds up and makes a difference.”
The college’s other sustainability initiatives include Green Pass (Capital Metro bus and rail passes for students and employees), Green Car (priority parking for fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles), electric vehicle charging stations, installation of energy-efficient lighting, and water bottle filling stations. ACC’s commitment to sustainable practices is also reflected in the college’s many green-economy career training programs – such as solar panel systems (photovoltaics), wind power, energy-efficient structures, green building, weatherization, alternative fuel vehicles, and managing for sustainability.
For more information on ACC’s sustainability practices, visit austincc.edu/sustainability. The site allows users to monitor solar panel energy savings in real time.
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By Student May 30, 2012 - 12:52 pm
If I’m reading correctly, the entire system cost was about $1.2 million… Environmental attributes aside, I’d be interested to know if the system will be able to pay for itself before needing extensive maintenance/replacement.
By mreyes May 31, 2012 - 6:39 am
The solar panel system has a life span of 20-30 years. The system will still produce the energy after that period. Since there’s no moving parts, system is stable and requires very little maintenance. Especially when we expect the utility rate hikes, PV system is a sound investment for our economy and our environment.
ACC’s Energy project was funded by the American Recovery and Investment Act grant which was created to boost the local economy and invest on local renewable resources. ACC was able to secure this grant fund and utility rebate to offset the installation expenses.
By Joshua W. Scott May 31, 2012 - 7:17 am
They better last thirty years without maintenance, since it will take that long just to break even on that price tag.
By Scott Moser May 31, 2012 - 7:17 pm
Isn’t there an additional benefit of the solar array roof system shielding the roof from direct sun, thus lowering the HVAC demand? I thought I read this somewhere. Is this lowered demand factored into the ROI?
By Scott Moser May 31, 2012 - 7:49 pm
All power grids require maintenance, public or private, and it’s always paid for… by the rate payers. ACC in this case.
Panel efficiency continues to improve while manufacturing prices drops, drastically in fact within the last 12 months.
New solar grids on campus will cost significantly less so the average installation cost will drop.
In the meantime, the local energy utility will continue to raise rates as they are doing now and this will shorten the ROI span as well.
I think we stand a pretty good chance of break even cost-wise coupled with the tremendous carbon offset these arrays provide
By Joshua Scott June 5, 2012 - 5:58 pm
Do not expect any more new solar panel installations, as Green Pass reimbursements to CMTA will eat the entire sustainability fee soon. Did you know that ACC has to pay Capital Metro every time you ride?