In celebration of Earth Day, University at Buffalo (UB) President Satish K. Tripathi and New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Gil C. Quiniones were joined by New York State and local officials, business organizations, environmental advocates and Western New York companies to mark the energizing of the UB Solar Strand, which will meet the electricity needs of hundreds of student apartments, cut energy costs and reduce the university’s carbon footprint.
The energizing of the Solar Strand follows the launching last week by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of his NY-Sun Initiative for bringing together and expanding multiple solar power incentive programs for spurring the growth of the state’s solar economy and quadrupling annual development of solar power in New York State by 2013, to make New York State a leader in the clean energy economy.
The 3,200-panel photovoltaic array stands at the main entrance to UB’s North Campus and provides a striking but practical campus gateway. The 750-kilowatt Solar Strand will generate enough clean, renewable power to help avoid the emission of nearly 400 tons of harmful greenhouse gases every year. It will serve as a natural classroom for UB students and for kindergarten through high school students. Allegro Power was the lead electrical and installation contractor for the project.
Watch a video about the Solar Strand project here. A fact sheet about the Solar Strand is available here..