Jared, great question, we’re now exploring different approaches to financing the solar project. Investors would need to have passive income (such as real estate investments) to take advantage of the passive gains (tax credits and depreciation) thrown off by the project. We may possibly explore a share secured loan (“solar CD’s”) with members of the credit union, as we did for the Phase I solar project, and we will keep you and the community posted. – Tony Smith

Cory, thank you, while 91短视频 has a fair amount of roof space, most of what remains is not economically or technically suitable for solar, in terms of orientation, size, roof penetrations, and/or shading. The more significant limitation is that with this project we will have maxed out the 500 KW (AC) solar net-metering limit imposed by the Harrisonburg Electric Commission, pursuant to guidelines established by their wholesale supplier, Dominion Power of Virginia. – Tony Smith

Darragh, you are correct that solar panels do not produce electricity at night, but natural gas generation (300 KW) we are installing as part of this project will do that, and for that reason, will enable 91短视频 to operate as a regional emergency shelter by making the dining facilities open even during power outages. Solar thermal represents a great investment, one that 91短视频 has in place already for Cedarwood, but unfortunately, it will not keep the lights on at night either. – Tony Smith

Great questions Jared. What limitation is preventing 91短视频 from generating 50% of it’s own power needs? A quick google satellite view of 91短视频 shows that there is plenty of under-utilized roof space on campus to generate all of the University’s electricity needs when the sun is shining. See: Community financed solar is the type of investment that I like to make.