UC Berkeley Goes Solar

Solar PV systems at MLK Student Union, the new Eshleman, the Recreation Sports complex, and the University Village apartments are now operational. The Office of Sustainability worked in a collaborative, competitive procurement strategy with 19 other public agencies in the region, led by the Alameda County General Services division, Berkeley secured very favorable pricing for these three rooftop and one canopy/carport installations – 25-40% below market rate.  In aggregate these systems will bring cost savings in year one to the campus.  The solar has been installed by a purchase power agreement (PPA) - the vendor covered the costs of installation and operating and maintaining the systems, and Berkeley is buying the clean power they generate.  

Solar Locations on Campus:

• The rooftop solar panels on MLK Student Union replace (and expand) an older less productive system.
• The solar array on new the Eshleman Hall add even more green power to the Lower Sproul complex.  Together these two systems produce 150,000 kWh solar electricity annually for the buildings.
• Recreation Sports large field house roof offers space for an array that produces 340,000kWh of solar power, providing close to one-third of the buildings electricity needs.  See the real-time production.

• The University Village carport solar system is built to produce 700,000 kWh of carbon-free solar electricity each year, providing 20% of the power needs of the village. See the real-time production. 
• Jacobs Hall rooftop solar arrays will produce about 120,000 kWh of clean power each year for the building.