ST.PAUL, Minn. –The Minnesota State colleges governing board approved a $12 million solar energy project on a new mega-carport roof s Winona State University. Board members were impressed that costs will be covered by energy savings over 18 years. Construction begins in October with completion by the start of the Fall 2022 classes, said campus sustainability coordinator Nathan Engstrom. Besides carport solar panels, the project includes:
> Replacing 21,000 light fixtures with LED technology.
> Installing solar panels on six rooftops besides the carports.
> Installing a new irrigation system that adjusts sprinkler usage based on real-time weather data.
> Replacing every toilet, shower head, urinal and faucet aerator with water-saving fixtures.
The plumbing updates will cut campus water usage 16%, in addition to the cut in carbon emissions by 25%. The campus, said Engstrom, will become the most energy-efficient in the Minnesota colleges system.