“Powering Up” with Solar Energy

The largest sunlight-to-electricity system in the Houston/Gulf Coast area is generating even more clean energy with completion of a recent addition at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

The 13-kilowatt addition boosts the UT-Houston system to 65 kilowatts with an annual generating capacity of 105,000 kilowatt hours – enough to power 30 homes.

UT-Houston Chief Operating Officer John Porretto said use of appropriate energy conservation measures and sustainable building design have reduced energy consumption by 30 percent at the university, resulting in annual savings of more than $1.5 million. Through an overall campus energy-management plan, UT-Houston is striving to provide a model for clean energy use.

The solar electric system is expected to provide valuable data for designing a similar system to be incorporated into the $57.3 million UT-Houston School of Nursing and Student Community Center under construction next to the university’s School of Public Health.

“This project is an important part of our continuing goal to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy features throughout the campus,” said Brian Yeoman, associate vice president for facilities planning and campus development.

These photovoltaic systems use high-tech solar cells to convert the sun’s energy directly into electricity, powering homes, businesses or stand-alone devices such as school crossing signals, roadside emergency phones and hand-held calculators.

Chief Facilities Officer Pico Mina said the university is funding the majority of the solar electric project with funds from energy savings and additional funding by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in the State Energy Conservation Office.

Data monitoring is provided by Schott Applied Power. The system’s recent addition is made up of 96 photovoltaic panels made by BP Solar.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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