UD's initial solar array will include more than 2000 panels to yield an 850-kilowatt solar electric system. Once completed, UD's system is expected to generate approximately 1035 kilowatt hours of electricity each year and result in 1,810,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide being emitted annually. The avoided emissions will be the equivalent of reducing the use of 93,363 gallons of gasoline each year.

"The University of Delaware is pleased to partner with Standard Solar on this solar power initiative," said UD President Patrick Harker. "This project is another example of idea leadership and is in keeping with the Path to Prominence Initiative for the Planet and our ongoing efforts to become 'The Green University.'

UD's system will be funded in part from its 2009 senior class gift, which was earmarked for solar initiatives on campus. UD was a pioneer and continues to lead in the field of photovoltaics, with a wide range of research both technical and in energy policy.

The university's research in solar energy has resulted in the development of 10 new technologies, eight of which are now patented, and 60 percent of these solar innovations have been licensed, all to U.S. companies.

"The University of Delaware has taken a national leadership role among universities with its sustainable efforts, and we look forward to helping them bring solar energy to Delaware," said Scott Wiater, president, Standard Solar. "With this installation, UD will have the state's largest single rooftop solar installation."

UD's panels will be installed over three buildings throughout the school's main campus in Newark: the Delaware Field House at the David Nelson Athletic Complex off South College Avenue, at Clayton Hall on the Laird Campus off Route 896 and at 461 Wyoming Road.

The largest array of solar panels, which is planned for the Delaware Field House, will be the largest single rooftop installation in the state of Delaware.

UD's array is the first project installed by Standard Solar and jointly owned with its partner PES, a comprehensive financier of solar powered renewable energy systems, since they announced their partnership in June of this year.

Together, Standard Solar and PES provide a complete turnkey solution to universities and other companies interested in benefitting from renewable energy without having to outlay the large amount of capital required to design, engineer, construct, maintain and operate commercial-scale solar systems.

"Designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as a 'national center of excellence' in solar electric power, the University of Delaware 'walks the walk,' using the technology to assist its effort to reduce its carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020," said John Byrne, Distinguished Professor and director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy who led a campus carbon inventory study released in fall, 2008.

"This is an important step, which I hope will soon be followed by additional actions to meet the plan's goal of installing 6 megawatts of solar power on campus."

"Having seen the University's solar program grow since the early 1970s, it is very exciting to see solar energy become an important part of our community," said Newark Mayor Vance Funk.

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