| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.05 |
| Liaison | Lisa Kilgore |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Cornell University
IN-27: Innovation D
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Sarah
Carson Director, Campus Sustainability Office FS - Energy & Sustainability |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
Cornell University Sustainable Design (CUSD) is an interdisciplinary student-led project team that enables Cornell students to develop their skills, engage with real world clients, and contribute to sustainable community development. CUSD partnered with Cornell’s Grounds Department to build a solar trailer outfitted with solar panels, batteries, and charging ports to store, transport, and charge battery-operated landscape and grounds maintenance equipment. The solar powered trailer is a key tool needed to efficiently transition our grounds equipment from gas-powered to battery-powered. Cornell’s Grounds crew has already expressed satisfaction with switching to electric weed whackers, leaf blowers, and other hand tools (i.e. no more inhaling fumes!), and additional roll outs are planned (e.g. lawn mowers). In addition, the solar trailer is wrapped with educational, sustainability-focused messaging – including Cornell’s 2035 carbon neutrality goal. The trailer can also be used as an educational model, as well as a practical tool for events that require on-site, portable power. The solar panels are estimated to produce 1,151.2 kWh of energy over the course of the year - enough energy to power a normal 60 watt lightbulb for 19,187 hours or 2.2 years. If the renewable energy is fully used every day, it would be roughly equivalent to replacing 33 gallons of gasoline and or diesel.
Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Energy
Grounds
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.