University of Arizona Student Recreation Center
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
Capacity 1.72 megawatts AC equivalent (solar PV & solar thermal)
Technology evacuated tube solar collectors, solarphotovoltaic panels
Annual Production 3,210 MWh (or WMh=)
Carbon Offset(est.) 1,520 metric tons / year
Commissioned Q4 2011
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
Capacity 1.72 megawatts AC equivalent (solar PV & solar thermal)
Technology evacuated tube solar collectors, solarphotovoltaic panels
Annual Production 3,210 MWh (or WMh=)
Carbon Offset(est.) 1,520 metric tons / year
Commissioned Q4 2011
encap development was brought in by Ameresco Southwest Inc. (formerly, APS Energy Services Company, Inc. and now a subsidiary of Ameresco - NYSE:AMRC) to help complete the development and financing of a series of solar installations on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson. The Project consisted of six separate rooftop solar sites; four photovoltaic systems and two solar thermal systems, with a combined nameplate capacity of 1.72 MWp.
All of the energy generated by the project is being purchased by the University of Arizona under a 20-year Power Purchase agreement. The environmental attributes generated by the project are being purchased by Tucson Electric Power, an electric utility subsidiary of UniSource Energy Corporation also under 20 year purchase agreements.
The project includes multiple sites, two with solar thermal collectors, the balance with photovoltaic (PV) modules, The solar thermal collectors use evacuated tube and flat plate technologies, which provide generate over 50% more energy than PV per area of collector. This increased energy efficiency helps the University of Arizona achieve its solar power goals while optimizing available space. This innovative solar thermal system design also increases project efficiency by powering the absorption chiller with solar heat to produce chilled water and then using the waste energy to heat the Recreation Center outdoor pool.
All of the energy generated by the project is being purchased by the University of Arizona under a 20-year Power Purchase agreement. The environmental attributes generated by the project are being purchased by Tucson Electric Power, an electric utility subsidiary of UniSource Energy Corporation also under 20 year purchase agreements.
The project includes multiple sites, two with solar thermal collectors, the balance with photovoltaic (PV) modules, The solar thermal collectors use evacuated tube and flat plate technologies, which provide generate over 50% more energy than PV per area of collector. This increased energy efficiency helps the University of Arizona achieve its solar power goals while optimizing available space. This innovative solar thermal system design also increases project efficiency by powering the absorption chiller with solar heat to produce chilled water and then using the waste energy to heat the Recreation Center outdoor pool.
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