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William Paterson University to Dedicate Largest Solar Panel Facility at a United States University on Thursday, October 21 at 12:30 p.m.

--Facility will generate 15 to 20 percent of the institution’s energy needs

William Paterson University in Wayne, the site of the largest solar panel facility at a university in the United States, will hold a dedication ceremony for its solar installation on Thursday, October 21 at 12:30 p.m. on campus.

The project, which includes solar arrays in numerous parking areas and photovoltaic cells on several building rooftops, is estimated to save the University $4.3 million in energy costs over the next 15 years. The solar panels are capable of supplying 3.5 megawatts of clean, low-cost energy, which will provide 15 to 20 percent of the University’s energy needs.

Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, of Summit, N.J., a leading independent solar power producer, will finance, own, and operate the facility under a 15-year power purchase agreement. The University will buy the solar power at a reduced rate with no upfront costs. The installation was designed by SunDurance Energy, a solar power system installer headquartered in Edison, N.J.

The event will be held in Zanfino Plaza between Wayne Hall and the Cheng Library and adjacent to Parking Lot 5, the site of one portion of the solar panel installation. In the event of rain, it will be held in the lobby of Wayne Hall. It will include remarks by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez; U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell; John Lushetsky, solar project manager, U.S. Department of Energy; James Rice, CEO of Nautilus Solar Energy; and Kathleen Waldron, president of William Paterson University. A tour of the facility will immediately follow the program. Parking for the event is available in Lot 5 on campus.