Ameresco has accomplished a photo voltaic array and battery storage challenge at Southwest Wisconsin Technical School, the winner of the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The $1.6 million design-build challenge features a 300-kW photo voltaic array and a 125-kW battery storage system, put in in an space behind the Knox Studying Heart. The electrical energy produced by the photo voltaic array shall be used completely for Constructing 400, some of the populated buildings on campus throughout the summer season. The system is anticipated to provide roughly 60% of the constructing’s electrical energy, saving the school roughly $30,000 per yr in utility prices. Within the occasion of an outage, the mixture of the photo voltaic and battery power storage system was designed to supply a resilient provide of power to the coed providers constructing on campus.
In recent times, the school has upgraded from fluorescent to LED lighting in parking tons, labs and most lecture rooms, put in rooftop air dealing with items, energy-efficient boilers in two buildings, energy-efficient water heaters in 4 buildings, and occupancy mild sensors in most buildings.
Southwest Tech contracted with Ameresco to develop a 10-year Complete Vitality Plan. The plan, which was totally accomplished by January 2024, outlines a path to realize a 62% discount in constructing power use and a 100% discount in greenhouse gasoline emissions over the following decade by 4 main methods: electrification of gas-fired gear, lighting upgrades and controls, HVAC management methods and photo voltaic installations.
“At Ameresco, we’re dedicated to driving innovation and sustainability in each challenge we undertake,” stated Lou Maltezos, President – Central & Western USA, Canada Areas at Ameresco. “This collaboration with Southwest Wisconsin Technical School is a shining instance of how renewable power options could be seamlessly built-in into academic establishments. By harnessing the ability of photo voltaic power and superior battery storage, we aren’t solely decreasing the school’s carbon footprint but in addition setting a precedent for different establishments to comply with. We’re proud to assist Southwest Wisconsin Technical School of their journey in direction of a greener and extra energy-efficient future.”
“The brand new photo voltaic and battery challenge represents a big step ahead for our sustainability initiatives,” stated Josh Bedward, Director of Amenities Supervisor and Grasp Electrician at Southwest Tech. “The challenge cuts our electrical bills by about 10%, whereas guaranteeing steady backup energy provide to our administrative constructing. The environmentally pleasant challenge enhances our campus infrastructure whereas constructing our capability to satisfy upcoming challenges.”
As a part of its dedication to sustainability and innovation, the school has plans to make use of the brand new photo voltaic array and battery power storage system as academic instruments to show college students and prepare apprentices. By integrating these renewable power applied sciences into their curriculum, the school goals to supply hands-on studying experiences that can put together college students for careers within the rising discipline of sustainable power. This initiative not solely helps the school’s sustainability targets but in addition equips college students with the sensible expertise and information wanted to thrive within the renewable power sector.
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