The Evergreen State College Students Lead Largest Solar Expansion on Olympia Campus to Create Clean Energy and Savings

The Evergreen State College has marked a pivotal moment in its sustainability efforts with the installation of a rooftop solar panel array, the largest in the institution's history, located on the Covered Recreation Pavilion. This ambitious project, driven entirely by students, highlights a long-standing commitment to clean energy that has been evolving for over two decades. The solar array, featuring 196 Q-Cell Peak Duo panels, is projected to produce around 99,300 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each year, leading to significant savings of approximately $13,000 annually in energy costs. Over its estimated 25-year lifespan, the project is expected to save the college at least $440,000, allowing for reinvestment into student services. The initiative was made possible through the Clean Energy Fund, established by students to support renewable projects on campus.

At the ribbon-cutting event, President John Carmichael emphasized the importance of the Clean Energy Fund, which finances the entire project. The solar array will also help reduce the college's carbon emissions by 88,000 pounds annually, equivalent to planting 723 trees or not driving 111,000 miles. This project not only offers financial benefits but also equips students with invaluable real-world experience in implementing clean energy solutions.