Solar panels installed on roof of Kilgour Hall
Carroll University’s Green Task Force, a group started in 2015 to promote environmental
sustainability and awareness on campus, recently spearheaded the installation of 52
solar panels on the roof of Kilgour Hall. The panels will generate approximately 18 percent of the dormitory’s annual energy,
providing a small cost saving to the university.
The chair of the Green Task Force and associate vice president for finance and administration,
Deidre Erwin, commented on the solar panels and other impactful projects that have
been initiated by the group.
“The task force’s mission blends sustainability and awareness with cost savings. In
addition to funding the solar installation, the Green Task Force has funded LED lighting
on campus and stickers for recycling containers.”
What began with stickers and campus lighting soon moved to the over $40,000 solar
panel project, funding for which was raised over the past two years through energy
rebates.
The roof of Kilgour Hall was specifically chosen over those of more historical buildings
on campus due to its recent construction and excellent sun exposure. The solar panels
will then be able to operate unobstructed for a significant period until the dorm’s
next needed renovation. View photos of the solar panel installation on Flickr.
“The Kilgour installation will eliminate the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of
3.8 passenger vehicles driven for one year,” remarked Erwin, stating that the panels
will also, “…eliminate the equivalent CO2 emissions of providing 1.9 homes’ energy usage for one year.” See up-to-date statistics on the Kilgour Hall array including current power generation
and carbon offsets.
Erwin also connected the solar installation initiative to one of the tenets of Carroll’s Ethos Statement, stewardship.
“Stewardship: We will cultivate and care for our human, natural and material resources
with gratitude, responsibility and accountability.”
