University of California, Berkeley
IN-25: Innovation B

Solar PV systems at MLK Student Union, the new Eshleman, the Recreation Sports complex, and the University Village apartments became fully operational in 2016 and 2017. The Office of Sustainability worked in a collaborative, competitive procurement strategy with 19 other public agencies in the region, led by the Alameda County General Services division. UC Berkeley secured favorable pricing for these three rooftop and one canopy/carport installations – 25-40% below market rate. In aggregate these systems brought cost savings in year one to the campus. The solar was installed by a purchase power agreement (PPA) - the vendor is covering the costs of installation and operating and maintaining the systems, and UC Berkeley will pay for the power they generate. The rooftop solar panels on MLK Student Union replace (and expand) an older less productive system. The solar array on Eshleman Hall added even more green power to the Lower Sproul complex. Together these two systems will produce 150,000 kWh solar electricity for the buildings. Recreation Sports' large field house roof offers space for an array that is projected to produce 340,000 kWh of solar power, providing close to one-third of the buildings electricity needs. The University Village carport solar system is projected to produce 700,000 kWh of carbon-free solar electricity each year, providing 20% of the power needs of the village. These sites were selected because they meet the physical requirements for solar power and because the stakeholders, including student users of the facilities, showed interest in solar power. Students have had a keen interest in making these solar projects a reality. The R-REP solar installations were supported by a grant from The Green Initiative Fund. This grant helped provide initial investment and campus support for UC Berkeley to enter the R-REP program, allowing the campus to pursue solar installations. Furthermore, the TGIF grant funds a student engagement component so that these installations align with UC Berkeley's focus on research and teaching. TGIF was founded with the intention of bringing more clean energy to UC Berkeley, so TGIF is fulfilling one of its major goals through the project. A tremendous effort behind the scenes secured solar power under a power purchase agreement to the UC Berkeley campus. The Office of Sustainability has been at the forefront of this effort – bringing the R-REP program to the attention of the campus, coordinating the vendor selections and contracting, working with the campus partners to scope their projects and ensuring cost effective and technically sound solar PV will operate on the campus for the next 25 years. However, the project would not have been possible without an extensive collaborative effort between departments and groups across campus.

Information in this field was provided by the UC Berkeley Office of Sustainability and Energy.