Solar Roof Powers Facility at U of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi has completed installation of a solar roof on its Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME). The funds for the project came from an energy grant awarded to the university.
Joule Energy installed the more than 400 photovoltaic solar panels—in different configurations—at CME, making it the largest roof-mounted solar complex in the state. Staff and faculty at the Center monitor the power production, in real time, for each configuration.
“The first 392 solar panels produce 245 watts each, and the remaining 39 produce 340 watts apiece, which generates roughly 108 kilowatts of electricity,” said James Vaughan, CME's director in a prepared statement.
CME's system includes two brands of solar modules and three inverter technologies. The solar arrays are affixed across three UM buildings and connected to the electrical grid for backup power.
With this installation, CME becomes one of six facilities at U of Mississippi to meet standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, said Jim Morrison, director of strategic planning and campus sustainability at the university.
“With half-a-dozen LEED buildings on campus today and three Green Globe buildings under way, we are thrilled to see how these technologically advanced buildings are strengthening our ability to optimize our operational efficiency and to advance our commitment towards a more sustainable campus,” Morrison said.
Read more information on CME's solar roof at the school's Web site.
About the Author
Kanoe Namahoe is online editor for 1105 Media's Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].