The University of New England recently unveiled a 321.6-kilowatt solar array atop its Harold Alfond Forum sports complex, representing the school’s largest and most visible investment in renewable energy to date.
The 804-panel array is projected to generate 353,531 kilowatt-hours annually — enough to power 32 homes, and the equivalent of nearly 3% of the Biddeford campus’ annual electricity consumption.
The array is also expected to offset the equivalent of over 173 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, and represents “a significant stride in our march toward sustainability,” said James Herbert, UNE’s president.
The solar development was designed and installed by ReVision Energy, headquartered in South Portland, and Favreau Electric in Brunswick.
UNE owns and operates three additional photovoltaic arrays at its Maine campuses. In Portland, there’s a 12-panel system on Bishop Street. In Biddeford, 16 panels generate renewable energy atop the Danielle N. Ripich Commons and 54 panels are at the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center.
UNE has been named one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges for seven consecutive years by the Princeton Review and this year was designated one of the country’s top 50 eco-friendly colleges.
UNE’s environmental stewardship initiatives also include a climate action plan adopted in 2010 and revised in 2017, the transition to a carbon-reduced portfolio for the university’s endowment in 2021, and the 2022 purchase of renewable energy certificates to offset emissions of about 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide.