As part of a continuing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, Fordham has increased its sustainable energy sources with the use of on- and off-campus solar arrays.

A 963-kilowatt solar panel array was recently installed atop the five-story parking garage on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus and is expected to be operational in April, thus dramatically increasing the University’s embrace of renewable energy.

The array, which comprises 2,790 individual solar panels, is the second to be installed at Rose Hill and will generate electricity for use throughout the campus. In 2010, 84 panels were installed on the roof of William D. Walsh Family Library; they generate 25 kilowatts for the library, Rose Hill’s most energy-intensive building.

The University has also begun drawing renewable energy from off-site sources, including the largest solar-power system in New York City to date. In July, Fordham signed a 20-year agreement with the solar developer EnterSolar to purchase electricity generated at a 10-acre, 9,000 solar panel installation just east of the Arthur Kill waterway in Staten Island. It will generate up to 2.6 megawatts of solar power annually, which will be credited to Fordham’s energy usage.

A Greener Source of Energy

Marco A. Valera, vice president of facilities management and sustainability at Fordham, said that the new power sources can provide over 20 percent of the total electric consumption at the university when operating at maximum production. It makes Fordham the largest consumer of locally installed solar capacity of any college in New York City and goes a long way toward cutting the University’s carbon output.

In 2007, Fordham accepted the New York City Carbon Challenge and committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. In the fall of 2017, the University extended its commitment to the challenge by pledging a 40 percent reduction by 2030.

In addition to cutting back on carbon emissions, the combined off- and on-site arrays will result in approximately $200,000 annual savings for Fordham for 20 years.

“This is a terrific initiative for the University, as we achieve budget savings over the term of the 20-year contract at the same time that we significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emission profile,” he said.

“Sustainability ties into Jesuit beliefs and practices. It’s good for the environment, and in this case, it is good for us financially. It’s a win-win.”

Julie Milea, FCRH ’17, EnterSolar’s engineer for the Rose Hill project, added that solar power is not only cost-effective but an efficient use of green or renewable power. It draws the most power during peak daylight hours, exactly when there is the most electric use in buildings.

Valera said that the cost of solar panels has recently become more economically feasible, but that tax breaks and grants from federal and state governments on renewable energy sources still play a big role in making them affordable, especially in northern parts of the country where solar hours are limited.

The University is also pursuing other sites for additional solar arrays, including a 8-kilowatt array that will be installed on the roof of Campbell Hall later this year and partly funded by Fordham graduates.

Fordham’s biggest energy consumer is going on a diet.

The William D. Walsh Family Library, which opened in 1997 and uses more electricity than any other building on the Rose Hill campus, will be retrofitted with upgraded lighting and energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems as part of the University’s sustainability master plan.

Last October, the University’s application for a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority was accepted. Fordham received $500,000 to retrofit the library, a project that is scheduled for completion this year.

In addition, workers outfitted the roof of the library’s southeast wing last December with 84 solar panels. When they become operational next month, the panels will generate 305 watts of electricity each, for a total of 25 kilowatts.

A separate grant of $128,000 covered nearly half of the purchase and installation costs of the panels and accompanying equipment. The setup includes an apparatus that converts the 25 kilowatts of DC (direct current) to 21 kilowatts of AC (alternating current).

“It’s a new technology for us that we’re trying, and like anything new, we want to see how well it works and if it could fit in our overall strategy,” said Marc A. Valera, vice president of facilities management.

Combined, the energy efficiency measures are expected to reduce Walsh Library’s energy use by 670,000 kilowatt hours and production of carbon dioxide by 330 metric tons annually.

The panels, which are photovoltaic cells mounted on the roof, are the most visible example of Fordham’s commitment to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s call to reduce New York City greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2017, Valera said.

The plan to meet this challenge includes using cleaner fuels for its boiler plants, building energy efficient LEED buildings, such as the Campbell, Salice and Conley residence halls (anticipated to be LEED Gold upon completion) and retrofitting existing physical plants with energy-efficient systems and equipment and installing new technologies, such as solar arrays.

Valera noted that in the 12 years since Walsh Library opened, technology has changed a great deal. But simple, behind-the-scenes actions, such as replacing a bulb with one that is more efficient or adding insulation, can make a huge difference.

“Some of what really helps reduce energy consumption in buildings is just not that sexy,” he said.