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FAU Fort Lauderdale Installs City’s First Large-Scale Solar Roof Project on
Higher Education Complex Building
Florida Atlantic University's School of Urban and Regional Planning in the
College of Architecture unveiled Fort Lauderdale's first large-scale solar roof
installation on FAU's Higher Education Complex (HEC) building on the Fort
Lauderdale campus in February. Florida Governor Charlie Crist, FAU President
Frank T. Brogan, and community leaders unveiled the roof that was installed by
Advanced Green Technologies, Inc. Crist, accompanied by Advanced Green
Technologies' Rob Kornahrens, cut a ribbon on the 240-panel system that will
produce 34 kilowatts of electrical power.
 “Florida’s
universities are taking a leadership role in the state’s efforts to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy technologies,”
said Governor Crist. “The research done on campuses like FAU not only prepares
our future workforce, but it also fosters advances that will lead to more
‘green’ jobs.”
The Photovoltaic Solar Panel installation project, conducted by Advanced Green
Technologies, Inc. and headed by Dr. Jaap Vos, associate professor and director
of FAU’s School of Urban & Regional Planning, is funded by a generous private
gift from an anonymous donor, as well funds from Florida Power & Light, the
State of Florida Solar Energy System Incentives program and other state funding.
FAU is the first university in South Florida to implement the solar panel
project initiative.
“This is an exciting time for Florida Atlantic University, as we continue to
embark on our mission to promote sustainability,” said FAU President Frank T.
Brogan. “The solar panel initiative reflects how FAU continues to chart new
ground in this mission, serving as a role model in the implementation and
success of alternative energy through educational outreach.”
The initiative covers the installation of 240 photovoltaic panels, as well as
the future installation of a flat panel display and a “real time” monitoring
system in the building to allow users to see the energy produced. The panel is
designed to produce 50,000 watts of energy.
Other benefits that the university and environment will reap from the project
annually are as follows:
• Reducing between 20 and 25 percent of current energy demand
• Preventing 70,000 pounds of carbon dioxide to be emitted into the
atmosphere
• Saving 4,000 gallons of oil
• Providing a pilot for other buildings in the downtown Fort Lauderdale area
A portion of the budget savings from the HEC building utility bills will be used
to fund the Sun Fund Scholarship for one graduate student each year in the
School of Urban and Regional Planning. This is believed to be the first
scholarship of its kind in the nation to be completely paid for by the sun.
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