The University of California (UC) System in 2004 set a goal of installing a combined 10 megawatts of renewable energy on UC campuses by 2014. A good chunk of that energy could come from solar. But according to Matt St. Clair, Sustainability Manager at the UC Office, the overall target may be a bit ambitious.
“Schools are trying to maximize their photovoltaic installations,” said St. Clair, as he addressed several issues that are making the goal harder to reach.
The most notable obstacle is a California Solar Incentive (CSI) provision that puts a cap on solar incentives for universities after the campus has installed 1 megawatt (MW) of solar energy. UC San Diego, UC Irvine and UC Merced have all installed one megawatt, effectively locking them out of further incentive money. Since the UC system has no solar energy budget — which is not particularly surprising, given the recent fiscal woes afflicting the California government — the schools cannot afford to take on additional solar projects.
The UC system currently aims for part of its renewable energy goal via power purchase agreements (PPAs). UC San Francisco, for instance, has a PPA with MMA Renewable Ventures in which MMA owns and operates a 250-kilowatt (kW) system designed by Chevron Energy on UCSF’s campus. In 2008, UC Irvine finalized a PPA with SunEdison that eventually led to the university’s 1 MW system.
“We would easily meet our target without regulatory barriers,” said St. Clair, referring to the 1-mW incentive cap.
Some UC’s are pursuing renewable energy via other, non-solar avenues, however. UC Davis is working on an efficient biodigester that can convert organic waste into methane. The university is also working toward net-zero energy use at its West Village Community.
As for solar, the UC system has installed 3.5 mW of on-campus solar photovoltaic power, all told. Despite the lack of funding and incentives, there’s an outside chance the UC system could get the remaining 6.5 mWs of renewable energy generation installed.
“It’s not out of reach, but it’s going to be a challenge,” said St. Clair.
Solar is a great concept, but it costs a lot of money. UC systems and especially UCI have been hit with deep budget issues. Spending dollars on solar without incentives from the State of California will make this investment a hard one to swallow. UC Irvine I know has installed the system and they work well about reducing our carbon footprint, but you have to look at costs. Does the university put up the solar panels or cut out student programs and athletics?