CCAC activates solar installation at North Campus

Pittsburgh Business Times
March 17, 2022

Officials at the Community College of Allegheny County on Thursday activated the solar array that was installed on the roof of its North Campus building.

The 543-kilowatt installation is the third and largest solar installation at a CCAC campus, with CCAC activating a 15- and 64-kilowatt array at its West Hills Center and Allegheny Campus, respectively, in 2018

Officials at the Community College of Allegheny County on Thursday activated the solar array that was installed on the roof of its North Campus building.

The 543-kilowatt installation is the third and largest solar installation at a CCAC campus, with CCAC activating a 15- and 64-kilowatt array at its West Hills Center and Allegheny Campus, respectively, in 2018.

The installation at CCAC North will save the college about $750,000 in energy costs over the next 28 years, or $27,000 per year. BAI Group LLC, based in State College, Pennsylvania, installed the array, and entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with the college, so that CCAC did not spend any money on the project, and instead, BAI owns and maintains the array while CCAC pays to use the energy it produces at a lower price than it payed for energy previously.

“As CCAC’s largest solar energy initiative to date, this project is truly a win-win — for the college and for the environment. The cost savings generated from this project means more money will be put toward other important college initiatives and programs, ones that benefit our students and the wider community,” CCAC President Dr. Quintin Bullock said.

Pennsylvania Solar Center, an organization that helps nonprofits and businesses convert to using solar power through its G.E.T. Solar (Galvanizing our Energy Transition) program, helped facilitate the project.

The college plans to incorporate the solar installation as a subject of study in its science, technology, business and accounting classes.

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