Should the University of New Mexico Incorporate Solar Panels into

Their Campus?
__________________________________________________________

December 4, 2017
By: AnaLisa Ortiz, Hollyann Steinle, and Mollie Singleterry
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 1

Contents

Abstract.......................................................................................................................1
Introduction.................................................................................................................2
Methodology................................................................................................................2
Results Summary..........................................................................................................3
Results Discussion........................................................................................................4
Conclusion...................................................................................................................6
Glossary......................................................................................................................8
References...................................................................................................................9

Abstract

In this report, we will break down the ways solar panels can be incorporated into the campus and
compare the pros and cons of this decision. Solar panels will greatly benefit not only the
university but the environment as well. Saving money was one of the main focuses of our
research, we learned that solar panels are an environmentally friendly way to generate energy for
the university. Another focus of our research was how the upkeep of the solar panels is easy and
does not require specialized training. Using solar panels on college campuses is beneficial to
both the school and the environment. As many campuses have already implemented solar panels,
they have proven how easy it is to save money and provide more energy for their schools . If
solar panels are successful for many other college campuses, the University of New Mexico
should consider using them on their own campus . Right now, solar panels are at the lowest they
have ever been and starting from day one solar panels save the colleges money.
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 2

Introduction

The University of New Mexico has made enormous efforts to become a green campus and lessen
their carbon footprint on the earth. From all reusable products in the dining hall to an abundance
of recycling bins across campus, there is a notable difference between this campus and others
across the country. One area in which the campus in lacking, however, is in solar panels . There
is a startling absence of solar panels on an otherwise green campus . In this report, we will break
down the ways solar panels can be incorporated into the campus and compare the pros and cons
of this decision.

By researching all of the different types and ways other universities have incorporated solar
panels into their campus, we hope to break down the steps and options UNM has when it comes
to solar panels. All in all, we believe that this step will benefit the university and the planet . Any
attempts to make the campus more environmentally friendly will be well received by the
community. Aside from helping the campus, this move will also greatly benefit the environment .
In a time when the environment is not receiving the priority it needs from the people who are in
control, this move will make an even larger impact than it would have previously.

This report will accomplish all of the above by presenting our methodology for the research,
summarizing the results, analyzing the results, and concluding with recommendations for the
steps we believe the university should be taking.

Methodology

The overall approach that was used to gather information was primarily using the University of
New Mexico library databases. Another form of information used was from the University of
Arizona's main page based on their experience with solar energy on their campus.

The first method used for our research had to do with saving money. The universities that
implemented solar panels on their campus all noticed the decreased costs they were originally
paying. They even noticed that they were saving money from the day they put in the solar panels.

According to our research, it was found that solar panels are not only beneficial to our pockets
but easy to upkeep. These solar panels are made to withstand many different climates which is
another money saver right there.

Safe environment. Although some universities are solely using solar panels to save money, there
are some that are using them to help save the environment as well. We found that the use of solar
panels has many benefits and saving money as well as helping keep the environment safe are two
important benefits that have already started to make a difference.
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 3

Results Summary

Most of the research for this report centered around solar panels and other universities that have
already started to incorporate them to their campus. The biggest takeaway from all of the
research is that introducing solar panels onto a college campus is nothing new as there are plenty
solar panels on campuses across the country, and a few around the world. The research that
specifically focused on the solar panels revealed that solar panels are the most affordable they
have ever been. Overall, the idea of adding solar panels onto the University of New Mexico's
campus is supported by the research.

In 2014, Endicott College in Massachusetts installed a solar canopy over one of their parking lots
and in 2016 they added solar panels to the roof of their hockey arena . These installations
combined make up to 12 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of power per year . This makes up about
10% of the total campus energy use. Director of Sustainability, Sarah Hammond Creighton says,
"It's been saving us money since day one". Endicott College is not the only higher education
institution moving towards solar energy. Across the nation, 330 institutions have employed over
600 installations. The total solar capacity of these 600 installations are approximately 247,776
kilowatts. There are many factors that play a role in deciding how effective the solar panels will
be. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the solar panels were placed on top of the
performing arts center for two reasons: the building was new and could handle the panels being
placed on top of it and the amount of energy the building used meant the panels would have a
greater impact on the energy bills. When people see the solar panels, they know that the campus
cares about sustainability.

Perhaps one of the most important results from the findings from the research was the discovery
that solar panels are extremely affordable and beneficial for those who use them. Over the years,
the cost of solar panels has gone down considerably. This is due to a growing field and
advancements in technology that make solar panels easier to maintain. As a result, many
individual homeowners have found greater returns on their investment as people are paying less
for energy. On average, "energy production payback is generally within 4 6 years" (Florida
Renewable Energy Association). With the technology and field of solar panels expanding, the
maintenance involved in their upkeep has dropped drastically. Most solar panels are designed to
survive climates that regularly receive snow, rain, and wind . For most solar panel owners, the
only upkeep required is a periodic cleaning of the panel itself. Even this maintenance is projected
to decrease as solar panel manufacturers are discovering new ways to build solar panels that
decrease the labor and cost required for upkeep, making solar panels an even more viable option .

Across the continent, students at universities and colleges have pushed for renewable energy to
replace their old practices. While most focused on creating wind power opportunities, the
University of Waterloo in Ontario secured $40,000 from fundraising to install solar panels on
their campus. They also "worked with professionals to install a solar water-heating system to
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 4

provide supplemental heat for the campus swimming pool" (Oklahoma State University) . They
have since moved on to find other ways to make their campus more sustainable.

By 2011, Arizona State University had already installed "55 systems

comprised of more than 58,000 panels with the capacity to generate
14.5 megawatts of solar energy" (Craft). Only one state over, ASU
has been integrating solar panels into their campus since 2004. They
are used to shade parking lots, on top of stadium, and on top of
buildings. To save money on the initial investment, ASU partnered up
with third-party companies and leases some of the power generated
by the solar panels installed on their campus. Evidenced by the
growth of this project, the solar panels have been a large success and remain one of the most
notable parts of campus.
In West Windsor Township, New Jersey, the university implemented solar panels that covered
27 acres. The effort of placing so many solar panels is to promote the environment in America
and hope to get more universities and other places to go 100% renewable energy. A woman
named Pleasant Garner took a tour of the panels at the University and says that promoting the
solar panels with the organization she interns with called Environment America, pushes more of
an effort on environmental action on college campuses .

Results Discussion

Most of the research collected supports the argument that UNM should consider adding solar
panels to their campus to make it more environmentally friendly. All of the other colleges that
have solar panels have all reported success in the money they have saved and in the reception
from the community. In addition, with all of the technological advancements, solar panels are
cheaper and more practical to install now than they were even two years ago. All in all, UNM
should definitely consider this addition to the campus.

As stated above, the installation of solar panels at Endicott College was successful in saving the
college money and making the campus a more energy friendly area. Endicott is about 235 acres.
Over this space, they produce 12 million kilowatt hours of power per year . The University of
New Mexico spans over 769 acres. This is just over three times the size of Endicott. If New
Mexico installed the same proportion of solar panels as Endicott, they could produce over 36
million kilowatt hours of power per year. New Mexico tends to get more sunshine than
Massachusetts, so the amount of energy produced from solar panels installed at the University of
New Mexico might even exceed the estimated 12 million kilowatt hours of power per year .
There are many places that would be available to place solar panels on the UNM campus . There
are enough buildings on campus that have flat rooftops and could house the solar panels .
Another place solar panels have been placed is over parking lots . The University of New Mexico
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 5

has at least four parking lots that are available to place a solar panel canopy over the top of. The
University of New Mexico would be a great candidate for the installation of solar panels .

The most important piece of information for the University of New Mexico concerning the
possibility of solar panels is how affordable and beneficial they are. As stated in the Results
Summary section, the cost of solar panels is lower than it has ever been. In addition, as the
industry is growing, there will always be help for the university if the need ever arises.
Considering that most owners of solar panels are indeed homeowners, most of the statistics
found regarding solar panels pertain directly to individual households, however, the benefits
stand to only grow with more solar panels, which would happen at the university. On the other
hand, the maintenance of the solar panels would not be as large of an issue as there are already
groundskeepers who can keep an eye on them, particularly after storms or large amounts of
wind. Also, the larger the quantity of solar panels the university invests in, the less the energy
supply is affected if some of the panels are dirty or need some repair . All in all, solar panels have
shown to be extremely effective in a household setting and stand to be even more effective on
campus.

Although most solar panels are used within a single household, there have already been some
campuses that have brought them in and successfully integrated them to university life . The case
that is directly mentioned is the University of Waterloo, which brought in $40,000 worth of solar
panels to their campus. As this was in 2004 and the cost of solar panels has decreased since then,
this amount of money would make an even larger impact to a campus today. However, the most
remarkable part of this story was that all of the money was raised by students, faculty, and
community members. This shows one of the many ways that campuses can find money to spare
to make solar panels more affordable.

Another instance in which solar panels have already made their way onto a college campus is at
Arizona State University. Here, the university has benefited greatly from these solar panels and
has expanded the project and built even more. In comparison to New Mexico, Phoenix's climate,
though much hotter, is very similar in terms of rain and sunshine. This means that comparing
ASU's solar panels with the possibility of the University of New Mexico installing solar panels is
quite valid. There could be a much similar structure to the panels and where they are placed
along with a similar expectation to the amount of energy they would be expected to generate .
Considering the amount of success ASU has had with these solar panels, it is safe to say that
UNM can expect the same.

The university in West Windsor Township, New Jersey implemented 27 acres of solar panels.
Their main focus was in favor of the environment but even in a place like New Jersey where
there is not as much sun as there is in New Mexico, this shows that it is still a good idea despite
where on the map you are located. The University of New Mexico would benefit greatly from
implementing solar panels even if they decide not to become 100% renewable energy like the
university in West Windsor Township.
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 6

Conclusion

In conclusion, all of the research gathered enforced the idea that solar panels are beneficial in the
long run. For the University of New Mexico, this means that making a move to incorporate solar
panels onto campus is not only a good idea, it is a profitable one. Overall, we recommend
installing solar panels, however, there are several options for the university to consider .

The first option that we

recommend for the university is to
install solar panels over the parking
lots around campus. This option
places solar panels in a variety of
locations. This not only increases
the angles that in which the solar
panels will be exposed to the sun,
this will also increase the overall
energy production. Since the sun is
not always in the same place,
varying the locations in which the solar panels are located will help ensure that there will always
be a stable source of energy being produced, no matter the time of day or season. In addition,
this option will most likely prove to be very popular among students as it will provide shade and
protection for their cars. This will not only make the community more receptive to funding the
project, it will also help increase the reputation of the university as a whole.

Another option for the university to consider is to install solar panels over the gym or stadium .
The curved structure of the roof makes this a perfect option for solar panels as there are many
angles where the light can hit the solar panel. This option would provide energy more often
throughout the year than on a flat roof and will require less maintenance as most of the water
from the rain will run off due to the slope of the roof. Other universities that have done this have
used the power generated to warm the indoor pools or provide energy to other functions to the
gym. Again, this option provides incentives for the community to help fundraise, and any
addition of solar panels to the campus will increase the university's reputation.
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 7

The final recommendation of where

the university can install solar
panels is on the roof of Zimmerman
Library or some of the dorms
around campus. This option can be
tailored to fit the specific needs of
the university. The specific location
of the solar panels can be decided
based on which building needs or
takes up the most energy. This
allows the university to save the
most money while updating any
building on campus without losing
the traditional architecture.
Unfortunately, this option will not
always ensure optimal energy
output as many of the buildings on
campus have flat roofs . To fix this,
the university can install the solar
panels on a stand, so they are
slanted and move with the sun. This will cost more, but the savings on the energy bill will pay it
back within a number of years.

Overall, we believe that it is in the university's best interest to install solar panels on campus . In
the long run, the university will save money and reduce their carbon footprint. All in all,
incorporating solar panels may be a large investment upfront, but will pay itself back in tenfold
within several years.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our report and recommendations. We can be reached at
analisaortiz@unm.edu, steinleh@unm.edu, and mollayy321@unm.edu.
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 8

Glossary

Energy Production Payback- the time it takes for solar panels to payback their cost of
installation
Kilowatt hour- Unit of energy equal to 3.6 megajoules. If the energy is held at a constant
rate over time, the total energy in kilowatt hours is the power in kilowatts multiplied by
the hours is was held.
Legacy gift- a planned future donation to a charity, given through a will or other form of
designation
Photovoltaic- solar energy
Turnkey solution- a system that can easily be implemented into current business process
Green Energy Initiative- to reduce energy consumption, expand available resources, and
decrease our impact on the environment
Tracking Panels- Directs panels towards the sun
 Should UNM Incorporate Solar Panels? - 9

References
Craft, W. (2012). ASU solar program shines, tops 14 .5 megawatts. ASU Now: Access,
Excellence, Impact. Retrieved from https://asunow.asu.edu/content/asu-solar-program-
shines-tops-145-megawatts

Florida Renewable Energy Association (2017). Top Ten Solar Energy Myths. ASES National
Solar Tour. Retrieved from
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=0f7c8146-8970-4b7b-
8714-6b2872e6b7aa%40pdc-v-sessmgr01.

Helmer, J. (2017). Here Comes the Sun. University Business,

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=a626a807-c29b-44d3-
9dc4-0bdbc28af928%40sessionmgr4007

Oklahoma State University, (2008). Campaigning for Renewable Energy. Solar Today.
Retrieved from
https://illiad.unm.edu/illiad/ill/illiad.dll?Action=10&Form=75&Value=628020.

University solar panels shine as example in green energy initiatives. (2017, March 11).
Energy Monitor Worldwide [Amman, Jordan]. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A486636053/ITOF?u=albu78484&sid=ITOF&xid=ca
3e167a