John Hopkins University in Baltimore

John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA has signed a PPA with energy company Constellation to provide solar power to its campus. 

John Hopkins University Solar PPA

John Hopkins University signed with Constellation to purchase energy and renewable energy certificates (called RECs) from a solar plant currently under development in Virginia. The contract is for 15 years of power and will begin in 2021.

John Hopkins has multiple campuses which will be powered via the new solar PPA – these include Homewood in North Baltimore, Peabody Institute in Mt. Vernon, Keswick in Hampden and Mount Washington.

This PPA will reduce carbon emissions by 123,000 metric tons in year one. This represents the equivalent of 26,115 cars off the road or planting more than 2.3 million trees, according to a press release by the university repeated in Technical.ly.

According to the official press relesase on the JHU website, the agreement will help the university reach its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 51% by 2025. 

“When we pledged to more than halve our carbon emissions by 2025, we knew it would require rethinking how we power and operate our university,” Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels said. “This agreement demonstrates the seriousness of our commitment to sustainability for the good of our university and our planet.”

“The university’s Climate Action Plan committed us to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions drastically, developing academic programs that would train tomorrow’s leaders and scientists, and creating the technologies and policies the world needs,” said Professor Ben Hobbs, director of the JHU’s Environment, Energy, Sustainability and Health Institute.

John Hopkins Commitment to Solar (source: jhu.edu)

 

We have reported quite frequently on university solar over the past couple of years – many Australian universities have been working hard on neutralising their carbon footprint – if you want to learn more, some of the projects are listed below:

 

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CSU Solar System at Wagga Wagga

CSU Solar – Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga is launched its 1.7MW, $3.2 million PV solar system yesterday – the country’s largest ever solar panel installation on a single site. The solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of 17 buildings around campus and it’s expected they will generate enough renewable energy to power 20% of the university’s electricity requirements. It was constructed over a six month period. 

CSU Solar System at Wagga Wagga Launch Party Cake
CSU Solar System at Wagga Wagga Launch Party Cake (source: CSU Green Facebook)

CSU Solar and Renewables

According to the CSU website, in 2016 they became the first carbon neutral university in Australia. Their 1,774 kW (1.7MW) solar installation will generate 2,620,000 kWh in its first year of operation – this is equivalent to the generation of 2,330 tonnes of CO2. Head contractor for the project are experienced large-scale solar installers Todae Solar, who have been responsible for a 1.24MW solar plant at the Brisbane Markets in Rocklea, 1.22MW at Stockland in Shellharbour, a nationwide 2.3MW Aldi rollout, and many more. 

Ed Maher, the manager of CSU Green, says the installation will serve two main roles – for CSU to keep leading in carbon neutrality, and also to ease their heavy reliance on the electricity network. It’s been financed through independent energy services firm Verdia and the tender was managed by Solar Choice late last year. As a result, the install is expected to save money starting from year one – “This is despite our existing low electricity tariffs and the absence of any unique government subsidies or grants,” Ed Maher said. “Given these early savings, I believe it marks a new phase in the financial viability of renewable energy on a large commercial scale which is another step towards a clean energy future.”

A lot about university solar this week – it’s no surprise that our universities are leading the renewables charge, and amazing to watch how quickly it progresses. 

If you’re interested, a drone-shot shot of the solar installation is available to watch below!

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