Read the full story at TEP.com.
The University of Arizona’s most sustainable building is now greener than ever thanks to a partnership with Tucson Electric Power.
The Environment and Natural Resources 2 (ENR2) Building’s Rooftop Photovoltaic (PV)+ Project combines solar panels with rooftop garden plots in a system also called “agrivoltaics.” ENR2, located on UArizona’s main campus, is LEED Platinum certified and designed to display sustainability in a desert environment while providing state-of-the-art learning and meeting spaces for students and faculty.
Installation of the solar panels, donated by TEP, was completed last month. The 47.5-kilowatt (kW) solar canopy will generate power for customers while providing shade for the rooftop gardens. The partnership allows TEP to expand renewable energy resources in our community while supporting the school’s efforts to achieve its own sustainability goals.
“This project serves as an excellent example of how we can serve our customers’ energy needs while building a more sustainable community. This also continues a long and successful partnership between TEP and UA,” said Erik Bakken, Vice President of System Operations and Energy Resources. “We’re very excited about our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions while providing more clean, green energy to Tucson.”
To learn more about the large scale renewable energy agreement, visit our project page.
Photo by Chris Richards, University of Arizona, 2020.