Campus News

Westminster Gears up for Earth Day with Solar Installation Unveiling

Westminster students create monitoring system to measure data from unique solar rods

SALT LAKE CITY – As Westminster gears up to celebrate Earth Day this week, it will also announce its first-ever inclusion in the Princeton Review’s 2012 “Guide to 322 Green Colleges” for its commitment to sustainability, as well as unveil its third solar installation on the roof of the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts. The unique installation will be revealed during a reception on April 18 that will recognize the contributions of Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky Program.
 
The Emma Eccles Jones Solar Installation is a 20kW solar array that features a new and unique application of photovoltaics. Rather than traditional panels, this system uses a series of photovoltaic-covered rods that capture the sun’s energy as it moves from east to west across the sky. The system is significantly lighter than traditional panels, allowing for installation in places where additional roof load is an issue.
 
Three Westminster students created an interactive energy-monitoring dashboard that collects and displays power data from the Emma Eccles Jones Solar Installation that can be compared to the performance of the similarly sized installation on the Meldrum Science Center, a LEED Platinum building. Westminster now has three solar installations across campus and was the first college in Utah to install solar panels on a campus building.
 
“As we get ready to celebrate Earth Day on campus this Thursday, it’s exciting to unveil our third solar installation,” said Kerry Case, director of Westminster’s Environmental Center. “I’m particularly excited about the amazing monitoring system that our students have designed that will help us use all three of these systems as learning tools.”

In conjunctionwith the nationwide celebration of Earth Day this week, the Princeton Review released its “Guide to 322 Green Colleges"which included the top environmentally friendly schools. Westminster was recognized for its commitment to sustainability, environmentally related policies, practices and academic offerings. Westminster has been a partner with the Blue Sky Program since 2006, supporting renewable energy in the amount equivalent to 10% of our annual power usage—which adds up to the equivalent emissions savings of taking 200 cars off the road each year and powering more than 40 typical Utah homes (over 1,160 tons of carbon dioxide avoided). Westminster is proud to move forward in its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. ”

Media Contacts:  Krista DeAngelis  and Arikka Von (801) 832-2682
April 17, 2012

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.