Georgetown University is moving forward with plans to replace the solar panels and roof of the Edward B. Bunn Intercultural Center (ICC), a university spokesperson confirmed to The Hoya March 13.
The project would replace the ICC’s original 1982 solar panels, which were disconnected in 2013, and will follow similar 2017 plans, which were never realized. The new solar panels will provide over double the capacity of the original system.
During the 1980s, Congress and the Department of Energy fully funded the construction of the $10 million ICC to demonstrate the large-scale implementations of alternative energy sources.
A university spokesperson said the ICC’s original solar panels previously provided a significant amount of electricity for the university and will provide more after technological advancements, with the original system generating 300 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, enough energy to power nearly 250 homes.
“At the time of its completion over 40 years ago, the ICC’s solar array of 4,464 photovoltaic (PV) panels was one of the largest rooftop systems in the world and could produce up to 300 kW of electricity,” the university spokesperson wrote to The Hoya. “Since then, the technology and efficiency of PV panels have greatly improved, and the roof and panels require upgrades and replacement.”
The proposed solar array will provide 654 kW over the 36,000 square-foot roof according to filings submitted to the Old Georgetown Board (OGB), a panel of architects that advises on historic preservation matters in the Georgetown neighborhood.
Georgetown’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2E), a local government entity that represents the Georgetown, Burleith and Hillandale neighborhoods, decided not to address the proposal at their meeting, referring it to OGB.
Knox Graham (SFS ’27), an ANC 2E commissioner representing some Georgetown students, said the commission opted not to comment out of an abundance of submissions at its March meeting.
“Every month the ANC faces a variety of proposals which may or may not be beneficial to the neighborhood and its residents (including the students here),” Graham wrote to The Hoya. “While we would be delighted to speak on every proposal, we choose in the interests of efficacy to issue comments on those which demand the most discussion among community members.”
The OGB did not object to the proposal at its March 6 meeting, allowing the project to proceed to file permits with the Department of Buildings, which manages the permitting process for construction projects in Washington, D.C.
Graham said the reactivation of solar panels on the ICC’s roof would contribute to the university’s transition to clean energy.
“The existing solar array on top of the ICC has not been operable for over a decade now and before its termination was not producing nearly at the rate it had been expected to because of environmental demands placed during its construction in the ’80s,” Graham said. “An effort that seeks to retrofit a long-outdated part of campus is well-intentioned, and I am confident in the university’s capability to cooperate with neighborhood stakeholders to see it through.”
Jerry Lee (SFS ’28) said the project would allow the university to reduce spending on electricity while working towards its sustainability goals.
“Being energy self-reliant in the long run will likely lead to profit for the university, which they should definitely use in providing student resources and assisting with programs such as student financial aid,” Lee wrote to The Hoya. “I am really excited about the campus reducing its carbon footprint and serving as an example for all universities.”
Bill Reig (GRD ’21), a business development manager at New Columbia Solar, one of the project’s solar vendors, said that the project would also work towards the university’s equity goals in a letter submitted to the OGB.
“The goal is to maximize clean energy generation and operational financial savings, while at the same time using the project as a way of providing social equity to the broader District of Columbia community and beyond,” Reig wrote in the letter.
Graham said that the project would also contribute to efforts to beautify the university’s campus.
“Not only is the current array a loss of a good opportunity for energy efficiency, it is also an eyesore,” Graham said. “Given the university’s recent strength in collaborating with members of the community in bringing projects to fruition, I am hopeful that this project will advance Georgetown’s objective of improving our energy efficiency and renew an otherwise overlooked part of our facilities.”