A. Proposal Title: Solar Panel Installation Project
B. Point Person and Contact Information:
Hannah K. Morgan
607-436-3312
[email protected]
Sustainability Coordinator
202 Netzer Administration Building
C. Department: Finance and Administration
D. Amount Requested: $41,500
E. Proposal Summary:
I am applying for funding to install a 10 kW photovoltaic system at SUNY-Oneonta. The solar panels will
cost $40,000 after NYSERDA incentives and will produce approximately 10,110 kWh per year. The solar
panels will save the College $900 per year on energy costs. The solar installation would have a 5 year
installation warranty and a 25 year panel warranty. The solar installation project would provide the
College with .04% of its electricity usage. In addition, it would reduce the College’s carbon footprint by
9,176 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
Section I: Narrative
A. Proposal significance and objectives:
Governor Andrew Cuomo and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher are challenging state agencies, including
the SUNY system, to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 20-30% by 2020. Although a 4% compounded
annual reduction in fossil fuels in 7 years is a significant challenge, an installation of a 10 kW solar
system would be an initial step on a path for SUNY-Oneonta to reach this goal. One of the key ideas
in SUNY systems strategic plan is to become a truly Energy Smart New York. Currently, 19 of the 29
state-operated Colleges and Universities have solar, wind or geothermal projects on campus. The
objective of this proposal is to receive funding to install a 10 kW solar system at SUNY-Oneonta and
enable Oneonta to be engaged in this modernization process. A solar installation would help
Oneonta stay current within the SUNY system. In addition, this solar demonstration project would
show the entire Otsego County community that SUNY-Oneonta is committed to sustainability in a
concrete and demonstrable way, beyond academic rhetoric.
B. Contribution to the SP2010:
Sustainability is one of the six pillars in the Strategic Plan. Each year, the solar system would offset
approximately 5 tons of greenhouse gases, which is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide
emissions of burning more than 500 gallons of gasoline. This will contribute to the College’s
greenhouse gas reduction goal of 20% by 2020. The installation of a solar system would be visible in
the public sector and would help SUNY-Oneonta become a leader of clean energy innovation within
the Oneonta community.
C. Linkage to the following priorities:
a. Academic quality and rigor
Many Colleges and Universities within the SUNY system offer courses specific to Renewable
Energy Systems. The installation of a solar system at Oneonta would create opportunities
for professors to integrate renewable energy into the curriculum by revising or introducing
new courses. Currently, the Physics Department offers an Alternative Energy course and
could utilize the solar installation for hands-on learning opportunities.
It is expected that coursework and student projects related to solar and wind energy
production would develop parallel to system installations. Such projects might include
modeling solar or wind power generation in computer programming projects to compare
with real output. Physics projects might compare output of different types of solar panels
or systems.
b. Experiential learning opportunities for students
The installation of solar panels at Oneonta would create numerous learning opportunities
for students within the Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Business, Environmental Science,
Earth and Atmospheric Science, Mathematics, Physics and Political Science departments.
Studies could range from the life cycle analysis of each panel to the energy return on
investment (EROI) of the system. Additionally, engineering and computer modeling projects
could be developed.
c. External revenue generation
The solar system would save the college $900 per year on energy at the current market cost
for electricity.
d. Quality of undergraduate experience
With an enrollment of 5,800 students, SUNY- Oneonta is responsible for educating students
on the social and environmental effects of consuming resources as well as exposing students
to the global environmental complexities they will be faced with in their lifetimes. These
problems include over population, deforestation, over-harvested oceans, rising
temperatures and the accompanying shift in climactic zones, rising ocean levels and fresh
water, energy and food shortages. A solar system installation project would prove to the
student body that the College is supportive of sustainability initiatives and aware of global
issues. Most students would recognize the socially and environmentally responsible actions
of the College, which may improve the quality of their undergraduate experience.
Significant efforts in this area are recognized and valued both by students selecting a
college, and by organizations like Sierra Club, which has a “green” award it presents to
colleges each year for environmental leadership.
D. Impact on operational efficiency and effectiveness:
N/A
E. Opportunity for collaboration:
A solar installation project could promote interdisciplinary research between various faculty and
departments on campus. For example, the Economics and Business department could work with the
Environmental Science department on researching and marketing a new solar company business
which sells higher efficiency photovoltaic panels.
F. How the activity will be assessed, using measurable, documented outcomes:
The college will be able to assess the energy output of the system through real-time data. This
information will be located on the College website. SUNY-Buffalo currently displays its solar panel
power generation on the following site: http://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/solar-strand/solardashboard.html
G. Implementation strategy and timeline:
April 8- Awards announced
April 22- Send out RFP for the solar installation project
April 29- Fill out “special use” and “building” permit for the town
June 10- Select solar company
July 1- Funds available
Aug 19- Installation begins
Aug 23- Installation finished
FY12/13 StAR Proposal -- Solar Panel Installation Project
Proposal Title: Solar Panel Installation Project
Point Person and contact information
Name: Hannah K. Morgan
Campus Phone: 607-436-3312
Campus e-mail: [email protected]
Department/Unit: Finance and Administration
Budget Detail
please enter whole dollars; enter fractions of positions in decimals (e.g. 1/2 time = 0.50)
Number of
Recurring
1-time Costs by year
Total 1-time
Use of Funds Description
Positions
(ongoing)
FY2013-14
FY2014-15
FY2015-16
Costs
Personnel Costs:
Ongoing Salaries (PSR)
$0
Temporary Salaries (Temp Service)
$0
Student Employment (Student Temp Service)
$0
Other Than Personnel Costs (OTPS) and Campus Recharges:
Materials & Supplies
$0
Travel (not related to Professional Development)
$0
Contractual Services
$0
Professional Development
$0
General Equipment
$40,000
$40,000
Maintenance
$500
$500
$500
$1,500
Campus Storehouse
$0
Campus Telephone
$0
Campus Mail
$0
Campus Print Shop
$0
Capital Costs -- renovation
$0
Capital Costs -- new construction
$0
Total Costs:
0.00
$0
$40,500
$500
$500
$41,500
Other Funding Sources:
Projected
Amount
Available:
New Funds (i.e. projected revenue generation)
Savings
Reallocation of funds from existing resources (include account number, funding source)
Total Projected Other Funding Sources:
$0
StAR – Appendix A
The Chief Information Officer has reviewed this proposal and verified potential costs as it relates to technology:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Not Applicable
Comments:
The Associate Vice President for Facilities has reviewed this proposal and verified potential costs as it relates
to facilities:
[X] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Not Applicable
Comments:
The Budget Director has reviewed this proposal and verified potential costs:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Not Applicable
Comments:
The Senior Executive Employee Services Officer has reviewed this proposal and verified potential costs
as it relates to human resources:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Not Applicable
Comments:
Other consultation (be specific):