New solar array premieres at Wesleyan University’s Center for Film Studies

Solar Power World | Kelsey Misbrener

October 12, 2021

Wesleyan University recently expanded its access to on-site renewable energy when Greenskies Clean Energy, Connecticut’s largest commercial solar developer, energized a 96-kW rooftop solar array at the Center for Film Studies.

“Wesleyan’s new Film Studies Center is state-of-the-art in all ways, including its solar usage,” said Steven Scarpa, manager of media and public relations for Wesleyan. “The solar installation allows us to have the power needed for our student film projects and screening series while honoring our strong desire to reduce our carbon footprint and use renewable energy sources.”

“Greenskies is thrilled to further our longstanding relationship with Wesleyan University by installing additional on-campus renewable energy,” said Stanley Chin, president and CEO of Greenskies. “This new solar array will help move the University closer to its long-term sustainability goals and reduce energy costs.”

In 2016, Greenskies installed a 1-MW ground-mounted solar array on the Wesleyan campus, which supplies power directly to the university’s existing microgrid.

Wesleyan and Greenskies entered into a power-purchase agreement (PPA) for this project. Greenskies will design, develop, finance, own, operate and maintain the facility at no cost to the university as part of the arrangement. In turn, Wesleyan agrees to purchase 100% of the electricity produced by the solar system at a significantly discounted rate.