Solar panels will enhance research opportunities for students, faculty
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi held a special dedication ceremony today (Friday, Aug. 30) with Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ representatives to “flip the switch” on a new solar array that has been installed atop of the Engineering Building on campus.
The purchase and installation of the solar array was funded by a $75,000 donation from the Sun Club. The 100 photovoltaic panels live on top of the Engineering Building and are estimated to produce more than 31,300 kilowatt hours a year. . The donation from the Sun Club is the first solar installation at the Island University, which is converting sunlight into pollution-free electricity to reduce both utility bills and the University’s carbon footprint.
“The solar array at the Island University is one of several projects strengthening our reputation as a leader in green technologies,” said University President Flavius Killebrew. “The University will incorporate this new source of renewable energy as a tool for instruction and research to help advance the solar energy field. We’re proud to team up with Green Mountain Energy Sun Club to make these learning opportunities available for our engineering students.”
The Sun Club solar project will be integrated into the University’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) outreach activities. It will also allow the University to increase its use of sustainable energy and provide researchers and students with strong educational benefits from the technology.
The Sun Club is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees, including many in the Corpus Christi area, to donate solar power to non-profits like Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
About Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers and employees have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has helped install more than 575 kilowatts of solar power, preventing more than 887,900 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. That’s like planting 100 trees every year. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com.
About Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest-serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company is a green power pioneer and celebrates more than 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made.” Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity, as well as carbon offsets and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid more than 24.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Visit us online at www.greenmountain.com.
About Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Offering more than 60 of the most popular degree programs in the state, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has proudly provided a solid academic reputation, renowned faculty, and highly-rated degree programs since 1947. The Island University has earned its spot as a premier doctoral-granting institution, supporting two institutes and 13 research centers and labs. Discover your island at http://www.tamucc.edu/.
About the College of Science and Engineering
The College of Science and Engineering is in the race for discovery with research programs such as the premier Geographic Information Science (GIS) program in the country through the College’s Conrad Blucher Institute, the innovative Plasma Engineering Research Lab, and a nationally-certified Computer Science program. As one of the foremost institutions for coastal, marine, and environmental research, the College offers two doctoral degrees in these areas and is also home to the Center for Coastal Studies. Students and faculty in the College are affiliated with the University's world-renowned Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. From cyber-security to lunar robotics, from underwater exploration to the development of unmanned aerial technologies, our commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers is unparalleled.
-A&M-Corpus Christi-
