Scot Center's Solar Roof Will Be Largest at Any College in U.S.

20,000-square-foot installation will generate 271,000 kilowatt hours per year

WOOSTER, Sept. 20, 2010 – The College of Wooster today signed a contract with Carbon Vision LLC of Shaker Heights, Ohio, to install a 20,000 square foot solar roof atop the Scot Center, the new student recreation and athletic facility now under construction on Wooster’s campus. The solar rooftop installation will be the largest on any college facility in the country. It will generate 271,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, enough to power one of Wooster’s student residence halls.

Carbon Vision will install and own the solar installation, and lease it to the college, which will purchase all the power generated for a period of 12.5 years. The company will apply for federal and state grants and federal tax credits to defray the costs of the solar installation, and sell the renewable energy credits associated with it during the term of the lease. At the end of that term, the college will receive title to the solar installation, which has a life of up to 40 years.

The Scot Center will open in January 2012. The 123,000 square foot facility will house four intramural courts for basketball, tennis and volleyball; an NCAA regulation 200 meter running track; a fitness center with a full array of circuit training stations, traditional as well as elliptical running machines, rowing machines, and free weights; and new locker rooms, athletic department offices, and meeting rooms.

“For the last three years we have been getting progressively better organized, more ambitious, and more serious about modeling sustainability practices that the larger society might adopt,” said Grant Cornwell, Wooster’s president. “Today we take a dramatic and exciting step forward on that road.”

“Carbon Vision is excited to be a part of this landmark move into solar energy by The College of Wooster.  This project is emblematic of how new campus facilities should be built in the 21st Century,” commented Michael Shaut, CEO of Carbon Vision.

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes mentored, independent research. Each Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty adviser to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 students.

Carbon Vision is a renewable energy company with the mission to empower its customers to achieve profitable, green solutions for their operations.