Solar heating panels activated for higher energy efficiency

By Staff reports

A new system for solar energy was activated on Tuesday at Santa Clara, in order to bring more efficiency to water heating and reduce overall carbon emissions by the university.

The 60 collector thermal system was installed and activated by industrial rooftop solar solutions company Chromasun will reduce the school's water-heating bill by up to 70 percent and offset 34 tons of carbon-dioxide, equivalent to the emissions of 6.6 automobiles. The system will help SCU reach its goal of becoming climate neutral by the end of 2015.

"With its 25-year lifespan and six-year payback period, the Chromasun solar thermal system is an excellent capital investment," said Joe Sugg, Assistant Vice President of University Operations at Santa Clara. "Energy security was another major driver of our decision to undertake this project. Per the terms of our ten-year leasing agreement, we will pay a fixed price for the energy the system produces, shielding the university from natural gas price volatility. We'll also own the system when the lease is up."