Despite the COVID pandemic, GW has remained active in tits commitment to renewable energy by providing rooftop space on five on-campus buildings for solar photovoltaic panels that will increase solar electricity in Washington, D.C. Solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of Funger and Duques Halls, the Charles E. Smith Center, Monroe Hall of Government, Lisner Auditorium and the Media and Public Affairs Building.
Collectively, the panels have a capacity of almost 500 kilowatts, with the clean energy generated by the system reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing about 90 cars from the road each year they operate. This project is part of a larger University commitment to reduce our carbon footprint through energy efficiency initiatives and clean energy purchases. Not only will this project increase renewable energy production on campus bit also will reduce electricity expenses at GW.
The new panels will contribute to the university’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. Other renewable energy projects at GW in the recent past include the Capital Partners Solar Project with Duke Energy Renewables, a project that began in 2015 and provides GW with half of its electricity from three solar farms in North Carolina. In addition, GW has installed solar thermal systems on the Foggy Bottom campus that heat water in residence halls and a “solar walk” - a small photovoltaic array over a walkway on the Virginia Science and Technology Campus.