Solar panels power DePauw Tennis and Track Center, reduce university’s carbon footprint

Thursday, May 28, 2020
Solar array on DePauw tennis and track center
Courtesy photo

The roof of DePauw University’s Indoor Tennis and Track Center now displays 860 solar panels, the campus’s first renewable energy project and a step toward meeting the university’s goal of becoming a leader in sustainable practices.

“This project will significantly offset our annual energy purchase requirements for our Indoor Track and Tennis Facility and reduce DePauw’s carbon footprint,” Chris Hoffa, DePauw’s director of facility operations, said. “Its campus location provides the greatest amount of solar resource and acts as a prominent exhibit of our commitment to sustainability for people visiting our campus farm.”

Spearheaded by 1976 graduate Rick Neville and wife Jan, the solar initiative celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Center for Sustainability at DePauw.

More than 40 additional donors gave toward the installation of the panels, which cost $460,000.

“Sustainability has existed in the spirits and actions of DePauw students for over a decade,” Malorie Garbe, DePauw’s director of sustainability, said. “This solar array is a physical representation of our sustainability values as an institution and we can’t wait to see more renewable energy features installed on campus for years to come.”

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  • *

    Virtue signaling.

    Solar energy may have a "green" face, but it is not anywhere near to being a "green" when looked at as a total cost (production of the solar panels, batteries, wiring, etc).

    Do some research on how effective & efficient solar panels are, and the total "carbon footprint" from production to end of life (90% end up in landfills).

    Then think about the battery arrays... and the cobalt needed to make the batteries...when most of the world's cobalt is mined in Africa...by children.

    If you really wanted to make a difference - you would advocate for nuclear power.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Thu, May 28, 2020, at 4:44 PM
  • It is a shame that DePauw didn't consult with DPR about what to do.

    -- Posted by donantonio on Fri, May 29, 2020, at 4:11 PM
  • It is quite sad that we have among us a resident expert on everything yet no one asks his opinion on major issues.

    -- Posted by techphcy on Fri, May 29, 2020, at 4:58 PM
  • DPR does not have an opinion on major issues as I found out last week on another story. But, he is a very good keyboard bully.

    -- Posted by donantonio on Fri, May 29, 2020, at 6:47 PM
  • *

    LOL - what's wrong, children? Are you still upset from the last time I took you to school?

    I simply responded to the article posted in regards to the idea that solar energy isn't nearly as "green" as people would like to believe or have been told.

    I even gave an alternative idea (as someone had suggested I do).

    You don't have to agree with me. I don't care.

    But as usual, the two of you cannot actually discuss the merits and detractions of the article or my reply to it... instead you - once again - attack me personally.

    I don't mind. Let the world see you for who you are.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Sun, May 31, 2020, at 10:00 AM
  • DPR--It takes one to know one.

    -- Posted by donantonio on Sun, May 31, 2020, at 5:41 PM
  • *

    Don Antonio - ???

    Apparently I did a little too good of a job last time... I seem to have knocked you back to elementary school!

    Do you have anything RELEVANT to add?

    Your thoughts on solar power? Maybe your thoughts about nuclear power?

    Maybe even tell us a story about last years field trip when you went to see a solar array?

    Something? Anything?

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Sun, May 31, 2020, at 11:11 PM
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