The Catholic University of America is installing a ground-mounted solar array on its West Campus in Washington D.C.
The clean energy, once operational, will contribute to the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the District of Columbia’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2032 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
Work on the array installation project will begin with permitted tree removal, which is expected to take about four weeks. Standard Solar will develop the solar array, which is expected to save an estimated 7.115 metric tons of GHG emissions annually.
The trees, which will be removed, will be salvaged by the Urban Forestry Division. The logs will be milled into benches, stump seating and more and donated to local schools and parks. The wood byproducts will be donated to the University of the District of Columbia’s Center for Urban Agriculture.
“Harvesting and repurposing these trees locally lessens the waste and cost of disposal and helps reduce the city's reliance on lumber transported from elsewhere, reducing emissions and supporting our local communities,” said Greg Osband, the University’s Program Manager for Landscape Architecture.
Higher quality wood will be milled into lumber and donated to non-profit organizations and schools. Wood chips will be used at the Community Garden to improve the habitat. Casey Trees will also use the chips for its Community Tree Planting program.
The project will also involve the grading and installation of bioretention facilities for stormwater management. Once the tree removal and bioretention facility installation is complete, the solar racks will be installed, beginning in 2023. The array will be surrounded by trees and pollinator habitat plantings. The project is expected to begin operation in late summer 2023.
"The new solar installation reaffirms the University’s renewable energy leadership. By caring for our common home, this new opportunity allows our neighbors to share clean energy benefits," said Alexandra Harry Nappier, Director of Campus Sustainability for the university.
