Plans to install solar panels on the roof of Driscoll Student Center have been postponed. Student body President Jim Francescon takes responsibility for suspending the environmentally-friendly initiative.
“I met with Tom McGee [DU energy engineer] over the summer and after our conversation, was not sure if it made economic sense, so held off on making any decisions until I could consult with other individuals,” Francescon said. “In my opinion, I did not think the energy offset was significant enough for the capital expenditure.”
Francescon put an offical hold on the project following further discussion with Chancellor Robert Coombe to obtain additional figures and information.
“At the end of the day, I am an advocate for the student body and sometimes have to put my personal views aside,” Francescon said. “I have tasked the current [Undergraduate Student Government] Sustainability Chair, [sophomore] Jordan Loyd, with researching the project further and determining what students want to see.”
DU has contemplated construction projects that would include solar panel additions to available flat-roofed buildings; the endeavors, however, could never be financially justified.
Despite hesitations, McGee says Driscoll would be a prime location on campus for students to readily see their school’s environmental efforts.
“Driscoll is a student-centric, common center,” McGee said. “The initiative would be highly visible and hopefully increase student, faculty and staff interest in renewable energy. We have discussed the possibility of developing a kiosk which would explain how the solar panels work, and their contribution to our sustainability goal of carbon neutrality.”
Along with DU’s green ambitions, the Colorado state legislature increased its energy standard to require large utilities to obtain 30 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020.
The University of Denver will have to adhere to this standard by that time. The addition of solar panels would help to meet this goal.
According to John Nichols, the director of the Driscoll Student Center and DU employee for 25 years, the university is actively taking steps to be environmentally conscious.
This includes sustainability goals for all division staff members, such as recycling initiatives and commuter carpooling.
“There has been definite [environmentally-friendly] progression over the years,” Nichols said.
McGee says he looks forward to a more concrete decision from USG in regard to the student government’s commitment to the total cost toward the renewable energy undertaking.
From there, a cost analysis would go through a series of reviews.
Once approved, installation would take approximately six months.
USG is leaving the final decision in its constituents’ hands.
“If students want to see the solar panels, we will probably move forward with the project.” Francescon said.
