Western's SMATE roof to go solar

WWU is installing a 100 kW solar system on the SMATE building with advanced bifacial panels. Funded by state grants, tax credits, and fees, this project represents another important step toward WWU's 2035 carbon neutrality goal.

August 14, 2024

Bellingham, WA - In keeping with Western's sustainability goals and commitments, the university will be installing a 100-kilowatt solar system on the roof of the Science, Math, and Technology Education Building (SMATE), using funds from the Community Decarbonization Grants program of the Washington State Department of Commerce, along with federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and student fees for renewable energy through the Sustainability, Equity & Justice Fund.

The Community Decarbonization Grants program is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

The SMATE solar project will feature innovative bifacial solar modules with photovoltaic cells on both sides of the panels to capture reflected light from the roof. Manufactured in Washington State by Silfab Solar, these bifacial panels yield more power than traditional panels and improve performance in less sunny conditions by absorbing diffused and reflected sunlight, in addition to direct light.

The 176 panel solar array will conservatively generate 92,712 kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power 10 homes, with the actual total likely to be higher because of the capture of sunlight reflected off the roof. This will keep 38 metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year, the equivalent of taking 9.1 gasoline cars off the road. It is projected to save Western $15,600 per year in electric usage and demand charges, a savings that will increase over time as electric rates rise. This project will be visible from neighboring buildings and offer experiential learning opportunities to students.

When completed this fall, it will bring Western another step closer to the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

Media contact

Jonathan Higgins, WWU Director of Communications, [email protected]