The solar energy produced would be sufficient to serve the needs of 250 homes and provide cleaner air by removing over 2,478 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.
The solar array will be located on newly acquired land the University purchased from the Village of Cedarville. A new underground utility corridor for the solar array will allow the zero emission source to feed electricity to the University’s distribution system, making it the largest solar system directly connected to a university in Ohio.
The system will include monitoring and display features that support the University’s curriculum.
The solar project will be developed by Cincinnati-based Melink Corporation. The company will perform the engineering, procurement, and construction services, as well as financial arrangements.
“Cedarville University has been pursuing ways for the engineering department to use renewable energy as a teaching tool in the classroom,” said William E. Brown , Ph.D., president. “This is a great opportunity for our students, but also for the Southwest Ohio region.”
Cedarville University has been using solar technology in its academic curriculum for many years. Engineering faculty have incorporated the technology to advance missions-minded projects in Liberia and throughout the world, while the University’s engineering students have won six World Solar Splash boat competitions.
“Melink is proud to serve as the developer for this largest-of-its-kind solar PV installation in Ohio,” said Steve Melink , president of Melink Corporation. “Hopefully, it will inspire other schools and universities to consider clean and affordable renewable energy solutions.”