The new Solar Lounge welcomes students to kick back, relax, and be their own judge of UB's green initiatives.
Located on the third floor of Capen Hall, The Solar Lounge is open during regular library hours and provides the lowdown on solar power. Students can watch a movie or use one of the two available computers to access UB Green's Web site.
The UB Green "Energy for the Future" exhibit in the lounge provides information about the solar panels installed on the roof of Norton Hall.
The lounge has a kiosk where students can learn how solar power works and its environmental benefits, as well a look at live data about the system, such as hourly energy production rates for the day.
The solar panels were installed in 2006. According to Jim Simon, associate environmental educator for UB Green, the panels have been running efficiently since installment.
"The system, over its 30 year design life, will remove over 2 million pounds of the primary greenhouse gas CO2," Simon said. "The system will also save the equivalent of over 4,100 barrels of oil."
The system uses photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, according to the UB Green Web site. The cells produce power that is fed into Norton Hall's electrical system.
"The annual output of the system is expected to be approximately 73,100 kilowatt hours of electricity," Simon said.
The system cost $561,000 to install and was paid for partially by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Currently, the system meets about six percent of Norton Hall's electrical needs, according to the UB Green Web site.
"The system was expensive and it will take many years to recover our investment, but educational and environmental benefits made it the right thing to do for the UB community," said John Russo, UB utilities manager.
At this time, there are no definite plans to expand the use of solar power on campus, according to Russo.
"This was a demonstration project," he said. "Finding appropriate flat roof space and a recent push for a wind-powered system would challenge its expansion."
The Capen Library exhibit also features the "Turbine Wall." The 30-foot display has information about the impact of traditional fossil fuel energy, as well as descriptions of more environmentally friendly sources, like wind and hydropower.
Simon pointed out the challenges of financing an expansion of solar power, but expects that UB will continue to explore this option in the future. He noted that last year, UB President John B. Simpson signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).
"[ACUPCC] commits UB to becoming climate neutral in the future," he said. "Additional solar installations on campus would certainly be explored in order to continue our tradition of environmental stewardship."
The possibilities of solar power are being explored nationwide. A number of buildings in New York City are putting the sun to use, such as the Stillwell Avenue Station on Coney Island in Brooklyn. It is New York's first solar powered subway station, and its solar panel system is the largest in the world, according to the UB Green Web site.
It is in UB's best interests to continue to explore the possibilities of cleaner energy sources and cut our dependence on oil, according to Simon.
"We will face rising costs, as we already are, for food and other basic resources...shipped thousands of miles to arrive in our stores," Simon said. "It will be more difficult to justify driving alone to school and work when less expensive and more environmentally friendly modes of transportation exist."
And problems will only continue, Simon said.
"We will also have to confront issues of global climate change," he said. "Temperature increases, sea levels rising and melting ice will all impact the way that we, and our future generations, live."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
