Solar: FAQs
Solar faqs
Editor's note: kWdc = kilowatt; MWdc = megawatt
Last updated August 20, 2014
1. What is the total current wattage of ASU's solar installations?
Total wattage across all four campuses and the ASU Research Park is more than 24.1 MWdc (megawatts).
2. Which ASU campuses have solar installations?
As of August 20, 2014, ASU has 89 solar energy installations on all four of its campuses - Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, West, and the ASU Research Park.
3. When did the implementation of solar energy at ASU begin?
The implementation of solar energy began at ASU in October 2004 with the 34-kWdc installation at the Tyler Street Parking Structure on its Tempe campus. In November 2011, this system was replaced with a new, 477.12-kWdc system.
4. How does ASU measure the size of its solar installations?
ASU does NOT track the size of solar installations in square feet. Different types of panels can generate different amounts of energy, so everything is measured using kWdc. As of August 20, 2014, ASU has the following solar energy installations on its four campuses and at the ASU Research Park.
- ASU Research Park
Total systems - 3
Shaded Parking Spaces - 217 - 463 kWdc
Rooftops - 536 kWdc
Ground (non-parking) - 27.5 kWdc - Downtown Phoenix campus
Total systems - 2
Shaded Parking - N/A
Rooftops - 77.28 kWdc
Ground (non-parking) - N/A
Solar Thermal Rooftops - 7.48 kWdc equivalent - Polytechnic campus
Total systems - 4
Shaded Parking - N/A
Rooftops - N/A
Ground (non-parking) - 2,151 kWdc
Solar Thermal Rooftops - 105 kWdc equivalent - Tempe Campus
Total systems - 77
Shaded Parking Spaces - 4,403 - 9,849 kWdc
Shaded stadium seats - 828 - 251 kWdc
Rooftops - 3,563 kWdc
Ground (non-parking) - 1,059 kWdc
Solar Thermal Rooftops - 1.41 MWdc equivalent - West Campus
Total systems - 3
Shaded Parking Spaces - 1,298 - 2,680 kWdc
Rooftops - /NA
Ground (non-parking) - 1,926 kWdc
Solar Thermal Rooftops - 105 kWdc equivalent
5. As of June 30, 2014, how much total energy is generated from the installations?
The actual annual kWh generation for ASU's solar installations, by fiscal year, is shown below. Energy production has increased over the last five years as new installations have started producing energy.
- FY 2008 - 22,999 kWh
- FY 2009 - 1,641,949 kWh
- FY 2010 - 3,665,115 kWh
- FY 2011 - 10,845,707 kWh
- FY 2012 - 24,203,965 kWh
- FY 2013 - 29,530,506 kWh
- FY 2014 - 36,519,906 kWh
6. What does ASU's 36.5 million kilowatt hours yield?
According to the General Electric Corporation's data visualization converter, 36.5 millions kWh yields:
- Batch of cupcakes: 36.5 million
- Bowls of popcorn: 146 million
- Cell phone charges: 10.2 billion
- Loads of laundry: 109.6 million
- Pieces of Toast: 3.7 billion
7. How many campus buildings can 24.1 MWdc of solar power sustain?
24.1 MWdc represents nearly 50 percent of ASU's current daytime peak load. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration this is enough solar to power 3,366 Arizona homes.
8. How much will ASU save on its current energy budget by utilizing 24.1 MWdc of solar power?
Over the long-term, ASU will save money on increasing utility rates because the solar installations generally have a fixed cost.
9. What are the secondary benefits of ASU's solar project installation?
There is a variety of additional benefits that come from the solar installations around the university, including shaded parking, building heat-load reduction, extended life of roofs that have shade, living lab for academics and research and sustainability initiatives.
10. Aside from energy generation, how does the ASU community benefit from the solar project?
Within the realm of solar energy, the ASU community benefits from more real-world academic and research opportunities. Living-learning laboratory experiences are available to ASU's School of Sustainability students and to those who take certain engineering classes. For more information about solar-education courses and programs, visit the solar education section on this website.
ASU's solar-energy installations also serve as a template for Phoenix- and surrounding-area companies to initiate similar solar initiatives. Visit the solar research to learn more about the people at ASU who are involved with solar research.
11. How much does the 24.1 MWdc of solar power usage reduce ASU's carbon footprint?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 24.1 MWdc of solar-generating capacity reduces ASU's carbon footprint by 7.5 percent. ASU also is reducing its carbon footprint by replacing fossil fueled electric energy with renewable energy. Interested in your own carbon footprint? Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
12. What amount of carbon-emissions are avoided by the 24.1 MWdc of solar power generated?
The 24.1 MWdc of solar power generated avoids 23,267 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this is roughly the same as the annual emissions of 4,804 passenger vehicles.
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ASU's Solarization program and the ASU Solar Team are located in Facilities Development & Management, which is responsible for planning, design, installation and operation of ASU's solar systems.
Questions or comments for the ASU Solar Team: altenergy@asu.edu