October 2, 2009

Waltham, MA, USA: Brandeis University to Install PV System

Brandeis University and Alteris Renewables announced today that they would develop one of the largest solar arrays in the state of Massachusetts. Alteris will provide the design, engineering and installation for the 277kW solar system.

The system is part of Brandeis University's Climate Action Plan, which ets a long-term goal of making the campus climate neutral by 2050 and sets shorter-term milestones, such as an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2015 to 15 percent below 2008 levels.

The announcement took place in the new Brandeis Shapiro Science Center which was build to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver standards.

With record low prices for solar panels and the availability of unprecedented levels of state and federal funding, this is an ideal time for universities to go solar. Alteris worked with EOS Ventures, a renewable energy company focusing on wind and solar financing and development, to enable Brandeis to avoid the substantial upfront capital investment that solar entails through a third party arrangement called a power purchase agreement. This contract is expected to save the university nearly as much as $1 million dollars over the life of the system. In addition, this PPA will afford Brandeis protection against utility rate increases.

“Brandeis is joining leading universities across the country that are committing to supporting clean and affordable renewable power sources,” said Ron French, president of Solar Business for Alteris Renewables. “We’re proud to be the solar installer of choice for Brandeis, one of the nation’s top tier universities, and to work with the campus’ broad coalition of faculty, staff and students in their efforts to realize climate neutrality and budget savings.”

“We are proud of the Brandeis student body for the key role that they played in what will soon be one of the largest solar arrays in the state,” said President Reinharz while commenting on student involvement in researching solar funding options. “We chose Alteris because of their expertise in institutional installations. Their financial innovation and operational capacity made it possible for Brandeis to host a system of this size. We look forward to the educational benefit of these panels and to preparing students to be leaders in the new energy economy.”

Further details about: Alteris Renewables