California Institute of Technology Further Mitigates its Environmental Impact with Additional Solar Arrays
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a leader in research surrounding innovative solar energy and other sustainable technology, expanded its existing rooftop solar arrays to support their operations on campus. Eight more of the University’s buildings host a combined 800 kW of solar energy via rooftop systems developed in partnership with EMCOR Services Mesa Energy, which are funded, owned, and operated by Standard Solar.
The buildings with rooftop systems are Bechtel Residence, Bridge, Downs Luritsen, Hameetman, Keith Spalding, Parsons Gates, South Mud and Synchrotron. “This project represents the culmination of a decade-long vision to build out rooftop solar across the Caltech campus,” said Maximilian Christman, Caltech sustainability manager. “Our campus in Pasadena now hosts 2 megawatts of onsite solar capacity, furthering our efforts towards carbon reduction and eventually carbon neutrality.”
The system generates approximately 1,328 MWh each year and reduces annual carbon offset by an estimated 114,481,584 smartphones charged.
“What better way to strengthen our asset portfolio in California than through providing the funds needed to help one of its leading educational institutions reduce its dependence on nonrenewable energy sources,” said Shaun Laughlin, Head of U.S. Strategic Development, Standard Solar. “Caltech is setting a standard to which other centers of learning and organizations should emulate.”
The University’s clean energy research includes examining how to harvest solar energy in space, improve energy storage solutions, recycle panels that have reached their end of life and create brightfields from unused land like landfills. Caltech is working on multiple fronts to help our country go green.
“EMCOR Services Mesa Energy was happy to help support Caltech’s sustainability goals by partnering with Standard Solar to design, engineer and construct this innovative solar project,” said Robert Lake, President, EMCOR Services Mesa Energy. “Our relationship with Caltech has spanned over 10 years, contributing to numerous energy-saving programs, with this project reflecting the most recent, significant energy initiative on the campus. We applaud Caltech’s vision in working to achieve a cleaner environment for all.”
