Federal program to roll out solar power at Roanoke College

Salem - A program backed by federal funding aims to power a group of Virginia college campuses, including Roanoke College, with solar energy within five years.

Through the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, Roanoke and 14 other Virginia colleges will receive support to create and implement a solar energy plan.

The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, a non-profit organization that represents 28 independent colleges and universities in the state including Roanoke, has received more than $807,000 in federal funding for this program.

Its goal is to break down procedural, administrative, financial and legal barriers in the participating institutions' localities to pave the way for solar power.

Optony, Inc., a global consulting firm focused on solar energy, will provide consulting services to the CICV.

"Roanoke College is pleased to join this effort to reduce our carbon footprint and continue to work toward a more sustainable and efficient energy production," said Mark Noftsinger, vice president of Business Affairs at Roanoke. "This will also provide opportunities for faculty and students to work together to test and see how other forms of energy production can be utilized and not negatively impact the environment."

The initiative will help colleges navigate the complex legal, regulatory, and technical challenges associated with installing solar systems, leverage group purchasing power to achieve price reductions for hardware and installation services, and create a learning network accessible by other organizations considering solar power.

Once the framework is in place and institutions are ready to begin installing solar power, CICV will develop a request for proposals (RFP) so that companies may bid to install the solar energy equipment that schools choose.

The 14 other institutions involved in the SunShot Initiative are Appalachian School of Law, Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, Emory & Henry College, Ferrum College, Hampton University, Hollins University, Lynchburg College, Mary Baldwin College, Marymount University, Randolph College, Shenandoah University, Virginia Union University and Washington & Lee University.

Follow Roanoke College on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For additional information, call the Roanoke College Public Relations Office at (540) 375-2282. 

-Published Feb. 2, 2015