Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.95
Liaison Jonathan Lantz-Trissel
Submission Date Jan. 22, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Eastern Mennonite University
IN-3: Innovation 3

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Jonathan Lantz-Trissel
Sustainability Coordinator
Physical Plant
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A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

In November 2010 a 104KW solar array was installed on the EMU Hartzler Library. It was the first commercial-scale solar project in the state of Virginia and the largest solar array in the state when it was installed. The project was made possible by an innovative Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between EMU and Secure Futures LLC/Community that allowed EMU to buy the solar-generated electricity at a “grid-parity” price equivalent to the rate that EMU paid for power from its current provider. EMU re-paid for 10 years of the guaranteed solar electricity output at the outset of the project, which reduced project financing costs. In return, Community Solar will pass savings back to EMU as an annual credit.

Using economic stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) awarded an incentive grant for the project. ARRA funds through the US Treasury 1603 Investment Tax Credit grant will also help finance this project.

The solar project will cut EMU’s usage and peak demand energy costs and thus reduce reliance on power generated by coal and other fossil fuels.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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