Energy Conservation Over the past six years the university has maintained an aggressive program of lighting and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrades to reduce energy consumption. Learn more about energy conservation at SCU. Upgrading lighting with newer, more energy efficient fixtures saves energy and money. The payback on these upgrades is typically 2-3 years. Lighting has been upgraded in the Heafey Law Library, Orradre Library, residence halls, and Bannan Engineering. Learn more about completed projects.
News
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August 6, 2007 Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City of Santa Clara’s municipal electric utility, applauds Santa Clara University’s (SCU) new commitment to clean energy through Santa Clara Green Power, SVP’s 100 percent renewable energy program. SCU’s latest purchase raises its investment in the program by five times to 8,040 megawatt-hours (MWhs) of clean renewable energy, derived from new wind and solar generation sources in California. This is equivalent to the annual output of two and a half large-scale wind turbines. Learn More »
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August 6, 2007 Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City of Santa Clara’s municipal electric utility, has granted Santa Clara University (SCU) $125,000 in rebates for the installation of a new 50-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system. Constructed on the University’s main facilities building, the 338-panel solar system is projected to produce an average of 80,300 kilowatt-hours (kWhs) annually, equivalent to saving enough energy to supply 15 homes. The rebate represents one of the largest given by SVP. Learn More »
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 50-kW photovoltaic system coming soon to SCU
May 2007 SCU recently signed a contract for installation of a 50-kW photovoltaic system. The array, scheduled to be fully operational on the roof of the Support Services Building by June 15, will provide approximately 89,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in the average year at SCU. This energy, enough to power 2.5 average houses, will reduce the University's carbon dioxide emissions by 40 tons - equivalent to taking 8 cars off the road for a year or planting 12 acres of trees.
To see how SCU's PV system compares to that of other colleges and universities, visit the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
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SCU receives energy efficiency rebate
January 2007 Silicon Valley Power recently presented SCU a rebate of over $109,000. This summer, HVAC systems in the campus bookstore, Shapell Lounge, and the microelectronics lab in the engineering school were retrofit with more efficient systems. Silicon Valley Power offers rebaters to businesses and residential clients who use energy more efficiently. According to Assistant Vice President for University Operations Joe Sugg, the money saved will be used to fund more energy saving projects on campus. Learn more about Silicon Valley Power's rebate program.
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Santa Clara University Joins the EPA Green Power Partnership
Santa Clara University showed its commitment to being a community leader with its recent purchase of 1,608 MWhs of 100 percent renewable energy through Santa Clara Green Power. Learn More
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 Energy Conservation at Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center
A lot of energy is required to power the 45,000 square foot Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center – especially since the center is open over 17 hours a day most weekdays. During operating hours, the Hayden Gymnasium, more commonly known as the basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts in the middle of Malley Center, is always available for informal recreational use. Campus Recreation Center Director Janice DeMonsi recently found a great way to conserve energy and still give campus recreation patrons what they want. “We know that people do not use the courts first thing in the morning,” said DeMonsi, “so it seemed wasteful to have the lights on over an empty court.” People who want to use the "dark" courts or the Multi-Purpose Room are asked to notify the front service desk to have the lights turned on.
As a result of this conservation effort, at least half of the lights in the Hayden Gymnasium have typically been off for five extra hours on weekday mornings. DeMonsi has already noticed some people prefer the natural lighting through Malley’s large windows. For more information, please visit the Campus Recreation website.
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