Mayor Weinberger and President Sullivan Announce UVM-City Solar Partnership, Release RFP
BED to Facilitate Solar on UVM Properties
Burlington, VT – September 18, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Miro Weinberger and University of Vermont (UVM) President Tom Sullivan today announced a partnership between UVM and the City of Burlington to develop solar energy projects on UVM campus properties to capitalize on opportunities to make Burlington an even greener community. UVM and the City released a request for proposals (RFP) from solar generation providers that encourages a wide variety of projects, including roof-top installations and solar canopies over parking areas. The goal of the partnership is the generation of one megawatt of electricity. Burlington Electric Department (BED) will manage the RFP process, and proposals are due to BED by November 15, 2015.
“Today’s announcement serves as another example of both the City’s ongoing commitment to powering our community with renewable energy and collaborating with UVM to make Burlington stronger,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Burlington’s future will shine more brightly as we build non-polluting, locally-sourced, renewable power.”
Burlington currently is home to 81 solar photovoltaic projects, generating 1.8 megawatts of power for the City. The UVM additions to Burlington’s renewable energy sources would help ensure the availability of low-cost, locally-generated power during times of high use, such as hot summer days when demand for energy is greatest. Consequently, peak energy production and usage will coincide, offsetting costs and reducing reliance on more expensive energy sources.
UVM President Sullivan stated: “UVM welcomes this community partnership with the City of Burlington and appreciates BED’s accomplishments as a national leader in energy innovation. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to Burlington’s renewability, sustainability, and efficiency efforts and to being better stewards of our environment.”
BED General Manager Neale Lunderville stated: “BED is thrilled to partner with our largest customer to grow our City’s solar portfolio. Community partnerships like this one present opportunities to carry out the Mayor’s vision of adding solar generation and other renewable, sustainable energy sources to power our City.”
Solar power systems have the advantage of integrating low maintenance, non-moving mechanical parts, which provide quiet operation. Even more important, constant sunlight is not required for solar to be viable; new storage technology allows for power to be generated, stored, and used when needed.
Burlington has had past success using a similar RFP process to grow community solar installations on City-owned facilities. In December 2012, the City released an RFP that has led to new solar installations, including a 500 kW array on the parking garage rooftop of Burlington International Airport and a 150 kW rooftop array at BED headquarters. Other projects remain under consideration.
*Please see attached UVM-BED Joint Solar RFP.
Contacts:
Jeff Wakefield, University of Vermont, 802.578.8830
Mike Kanarick, Burlington Electric Department, 802.735.7962
