Watch VIDEO Below: How Many Panels Will Make Up the Largest College Array in PA?

Elizabethtown College recently broke ground on the installation of what will become the largest installation of solar power on any college campus in the state. Upon completion, the 2.6 MW Elizabethtown College Solar Array will produce enough energy to supply more than 20 percent of the College’s annual electricity needs-more than 3,000,000 kWh per year, enough to power the equivalent of nearly 300 homes.

Aerial Plan of the Solar Array being installed at Elizabethtown College. Photo courtesy Advanced Solar Industries.

Aerial Plan of the Solar Array being installed at Elizabethtown College. Photo courtesy Advanced Solar Industries.

“No other colleges or universities in Pennsylvania have made similar long-term commitments to solar power at this scale,” said Jay Carlis, Vice President of Community Energy, a Pennsylvania-based solar power developer who will own and operate the project over the next 20 years. “That’s what makes this groundbreaking truly ground breaking.” Elizabethown College will buy power from the solar project for the next 20 years at a fixed price.

The solar array will be installed in a field located across Campus Road from the main college site, on land that the college has owned for over 45 years.

“Several times projects were proposed, however, none of them seemed an appropriate use of this land, until recently,” said Elizabethtown College President Carl Strikwerda. “The idea of a solar array panel had been discussed in the past, but without the adequate funding, it wasn’t feasible.”

Elizabethtown College President Carl Strikwerda, center, with project partners (left) and faculty (right) examine a solar panel that will be installed as part of the largest solar array on any PA campus. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/ LititzDailyNews.com

Elizabethtown College President Carl Strikwerda, center, with project partners (left) and faculty (right) examine a solar panel that will be installed as part of the largest solar array on any PA campus. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/ LititzDailyNews.com

The College received a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority  through a competitive process to facilitate the project. Strikewerda credits the partnership of the college with the Stone House Group, PEDA and Community Energy for the project coming to fruition.

A New Holland company, Advanced Solar Industries, will perform the solar installation on the site. Chris Byers, a former educator and CEO of the company, is enthusiastic about his company’s involvement in the project.

Dignitaries break ground on the solar project at Elizabethtown College. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/ LititzDailyNews.com

Dignitaries break ground on the solar project at Elizabethtown College. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/ LititzDailyNews.com

“We’re excited about,” said Byers. “It’s a great day for Pennsylvania solar.”

Namaste Solar, a Boulder, Colorado, company, will oversee the installation.

Educators at the college are looking forward to the opportunity the array will provide to engage students in hands-on learning opportunities in the fields of engineering, biology, and business.

“While certainly benefiting the College with power savings, from a college president’s perspective, this project is a trifecta of sorts: it includes educational, environmental, and economic elements that will benefit our community and our students,” said Strikwerda.

Editor Lynn Rebuck outside the White House on Saturday, October 3, 2015.

Editor Lynn Rebuck outside the White House on Saturday, October 3, 2015.