Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.55
Liaison Amy Brunvand
Submission Date April 5, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Utah
IN-27: Innovation D

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Amy Brunvand
Librarian
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
U Community Solar/ U Drive Electric

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:

Innovation
University-led initiatives engage the larger community in a transition to cleaner energy sources by offering group discounts on solar panel installation and purchase or lease of electric vehicles.

Description
These two projects are part of a campaign to help University of Utah communities access electricity generated from renewable sources by decreasing barriers to entry, increasing knowledge and reducing costs. In 2014, the University of Utah helped 380 members of the campus community to install solar. The second round of U Community Solar began signing up participants in March 2016, and solar installations will be completed by April, 2017.

U Community Solar
In 2014 the University of Utah was first university in the country to sponsor a community solar program offering discounted rate for solar panels, a streamlined,
simplified solar installation process on their homes, and selected prescreened installers.

U Drive Electric
University of Utah community members and Salt Lake City community members were offered an opportunity to purchase or lease electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles at discounted prices. The program was in Co-operation with Salt Lake City government and Utah Clean Energy. Round one of U Drive Electric in 2015, resulted in 76 electric vehicles purchased in less than two months. Round two in 2016 resulted in more than 130 all-electric and plug-in hybrids being sold or leased to community members.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Public Engagement
Energy
Transportation

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:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

WEBSITES

U Community Solar [website]
URL: http://www.mycommunitysolar.org/ucommunitysolar/

U Drive Electric [Website]
URL: http://utahev.org/u-drive-electric

RESOURCES

Lee, Jasen. "Partnership Promotes Electric Vehicle Usage." Deseret News, Sep 13, 2016.

"Effects of the U Community Solar Program," D.J. Benway, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, 2015.

"Putting the U in Community Solar: Creating a Local, Meaningful University Offset Program." Myron Willson, Stephanie Dolmat-Connell, Kate Bowman. Presented at AASHE 2014 Conference & Expo, (Portland, OR, October 26-29, 2014).

O'Donoghue, Amy Joi. "U. Launches Community Solar Program." Deseret News, Apr 24, 2014.


WEBSITES

U Community Solar [website]
URL: http://www.mycommunitysolar.org/ucommunitysolar/

U Drive Electric [Website]
URL: http://utahev.org/u-drive-electric

RESOURCES

Lee, Jasen. "Partnership Promotes Electric Vehicle Usage." Deseret News, Sep 13, 2016.

"Effects of the U Community Solar Program," D.J. Benway, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, 2015.

"Putting the U in Community Solar: Creating a Local, Meaningful University Offset Program." Myron Willson, Stephanie Dolmat-Connell, Kate Bowman. Presented at AASHE 2014 Conference & Expo, (Portland, OR, October 26-29, 2014).

O'Donoghue, Amy Joi. "U. Launches Community Solar Program." Deseret News, Apr 24, 2014.

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