International solar panel manufacturer, REC Solar has supplied a 2.15MW ground-mounted installation with more than 8,700 solar panels.
Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio will use REC’s Peak energy series modules to generate 2.7 million kWh a year, 10% of the university’s electricity needs.
The installation was constructed by renewable energy company, Melink Corporation, which also funded and owns the ground-mounted project.
Electricity will be sold to Cedarville University via a power purchase agreement; electricity will be transported from the solar panels to the main campus using an underground cable.
The installation benefitted from the Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) programme, the Federal Investment Tax Credit (FITC) and the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) to become financially viable.
Steve Melink, president of Melink Corporation, said that in its first two months, the installation exceeded the production estimates.
Energy costs will be more predictable for the university thanks to the installation, aiding energy independence and also being used as a teaching school at the university.
“The installation not only contributes to environmental sustainability and cost savings, it also enables students to see firsthand how a solar system works,” said Arndt Lutz, senior vice president, REC.
