MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc. and Skidmore College today announced the completion of a solar project that will generate renewable energy in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The college will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the completion of 2,085-kilowatt solar array. Attendees at today’s event include U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko; John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); local officials from Saratoga Springs and Greenfield, N.Y.; members of the Skidmore College community and representatives from Washington Gas Energy Systems and Dynamic Energy.
“Working with Skidmore College is part of a strategic expansion into New York, and we anticipate that this project will be the first of many solar and distributed generation projects in the state,” said Sanjiv Mahan, chief operating officer of Washington Gas Energy Systems. “We are committed to working with educational institutions, municipalities and other organizations across the country to reduce their carbon footprints and improve the environment while stabilizing energy costs.”
The system will generate 2,600,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year over the course of a 20-year power purchase agreement, enough to meet 11 percent of Skidmore’s energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 412 cars off the road each year.
“This installation responds to the pressing need for environmentally responsible, cost-effective energy for our campus operations, and it exemplifies our strategic commitment to sustainability,” said Philip A. Glotzbach, president of Skidmore College. “We are grateful for the support provided by Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative, without which this project would not have been possible.”
The solar array consists of 6,950 ground-mounted solar panels spanning eight acres of land owned by Skidmore College. Dynamic Energy developed the project and also managed engineering, procurement and construction. Construction began in March and the project was completed in July.
This project was made possible with support from the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program through NYSERDA. NY-Sun is a $1 billion initiative of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to advance the scale-up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. The program provides financial support for the development of photovoltaic projects at customer sites that stabilize long-term electricity costs and generate no greenhouse gas emissions.
Through the Sustainable Skidmore initiative, the college has a number of other environmental projects ranging from composting programs to energy conservation events. Thirty campus buildings have geothermal heating and cooling systems.
“The Dynamic Energy team congratulates Skidmore College on hosting this solar system,” said Michael Perillo, CEO of Dynamic Energy. “The college’s support of renewable energy reflects a true dedication to the students, faculty and staff of Skidmore, as well as their community. We are proud to partner with Skidmore, NYSERDA and Washington Gas Energy Systems on this exceptional solar project.”
Washington Gas Energy Systems now owns and operates 45 projects in 11 states across the country, totaling approximately 54 megawatts.
About Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc.:
Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc., an affiliate of Washington Gas Light Company and a subsidiary of WGL Holdings (NYSE: WGL), design-builds and owns custom energy solutions that deliver financial, operational and carbon reduction results for non-residential customers across the United States. Washington Gas Energy Systems is focused on federal energy efficiency projects and commercial distributed generation assets including solar. For more information on how Washington Gas Energy Systems can make solar power a reality for you, call 703-333-3900. For further information about Washington Gas Energy Systems, please visit www.wgesystems.com
About Skidmore College:
Founded in 1903 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Skidmore is a highly selective, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of about 2,400 men and women. The college grants bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in nearly 50 areas, as well as the master of arts in liberal studies. Skidmore draws thousands of visitors to campus each year for a wide array of cultural and athletic events, and its students, faculty, and staff play active roles as volunteers with more than 40 nonprofit organizations in the region.
About Dynamic Energy:
Dynamic Energy is a turnkey energy solutions provider that develops, finances, engineers, constructs and operates projects for corporate, industrial and institutional customers. Dynamic builds energy projects that reduce customer expenses, improve operating efficiency, provide an attractive return on investment and achieve sustainability goals. For more information please visit www.dynamicenergyusa.com or call 1-877-809-8884.
