Higher Education Initiative from Verde Energy

Welcome!

To explore successful case studies involving renewable energy on campus, browse proposals for the integration of renewables, or share your own ideas and experiences, please see the "Comments" section at the end of this blog entry.

Why are we here?

Verde Energy has announced a higher education initiative to serve as a catalyst for institutions to implement cost-effective renewable energy systems on campus, thereby empowering future professionals with first hand knowledge of and experience with the integration, operation and real-world impact of renewable energy technologies. You can find our recent press release about the higher education initiative here.

If you are beginning the process of evaluating renewable energy for a college or university, here are a few ideas to consider for the integration of systems on campus:

- Install a solar electric, solar thermal, geothermal, wind power or other renewable energy system on campus, demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices.

- Install remote performance monitoring displays in classrooms and common areas on campus, raising awareness of the system and the benefits of renewable energy, as well as providing a valuable educational tool in the classroom.

- Use network enabled displays to broadcast real-time performance data through the university web site, student and faculty web sites, as well as through presentations both remote and on campus (classrooms, stadium scoreboard), highlighting the positive economic and environmental impacts of the system.

- Use system displays as part of homecoming, alumni events, and student events and competitions, raising awareness of the benefits of renewable energy as well as demonstrating the institution as a leader in sustainability.

- Videotape the installation and operation of a renewable energy system on campus and use the footage for community and media outreach, student outreach, and classroom visual aid.

- Require the use of renewable energy systems and green building design practices among contractors competing for University construction projects.

- Certify existing green buildings on campus through the USGBC LEED program.

- Pursue green building retrofits and remodeling of existing buildings on campus.

- Commit to a carbon audit of University operations and implement future goals for reducing the carbon footprint of the Institution.

- Create new course studies dedicated to renewable energy technology research and development, manufacturing, integration, operations and policy.

Please share your ideas with us!

As part of this initiative, we're asking students to get involved and take up the cause for their school by offering proposals to their administration on how to utilize renewable energy on campus. We're also inviting students to share their ideas and proposals on this blog, or by sending them in via email.

Verde Energy will provide future program announcements to feature institutions that have successfully integrated renewable energy systems and other green building measures on campus.

Do you have a good idea about how green energy can be used on your college campus? Please share your ideas and proposals by adding comments and hyperlinks below, or by emailing us at edu@verdeenergy.com.

Additional Resources:

President's Climate Commitment - The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education - AASHE is a membership-based association of colleges and universities working to advance sustainability in higher education in the U.S. and Canada.

The Campus Climate Challenge - The Campus Climate Challenge is a project of more than 30 leading youth organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across Canada and the U.S. to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools.

National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology Program - National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology program helps colleges and universities confront global warming through climate and wildlife-friendly practices that reduce their global footprint.

ENERGY STAR For Higher Education - Colleges and universities spend close to $2 billion each year on energy. Adopting a strategic approach to energy management can lower your energy bills by 30 percent or more. ENERGY STAR brings you a proven energy management strategy to distinguish your institution as an environmental leader and save money for repair and renovation, hiring of new faculty, new construction, and other core activities.

Democratic and Republican Leadership Signal Abandonment of Solar Legislation - We Need Your Help!

If you haven't already heard, there is a critical situation developing right now for solar energy legislation in Congress. We are sending out an emergency request for people to contact their state and local representatives to urge action on this issue. Please note the resources below to locate the contact information for your state Senators and Representatives.

"On Friday, we reported that Senate and House Democratic Leaders were considering a plan to drop the energy tax title, including the solar Investment Tax Credit provisions, out of the Energy Bill. The motivation, it appeared, was Democrats' concern that energy legislation might face a White House veto if certain provisions, including a tax title that repeals some of the subsidies for oil and gas, were included in the bill." - Noah Kaye, Solar Energy Industries Association

"We have learned that the House and Senate leadership, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid have decided to remove several provisions from the Energy bill that would benefit solar and other renewable energy technologies. At a time when oil is going to hit $100, when climate news is worse every day, and when domestic supply reports keep dropping, we need these provisions in the energy bill more than ever." - Jeff Wolfe, CEO groSolar

Please call your Representative and both Senators and ask them to urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to keep the ITC extension in the Energy Bill.

To locate your Representative and Senators' Washington phone number, go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt and type in your Zip Code. Alternatively, you can reach your Representative and Senators' offices through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.

Talking Points:
- I work for (name of company) in your district (describe the company)
- The solar investment tax credits are critical to our company’s business and must be part of the energy bill this year!
- The solar tax credits would decrease energy costs, increase energy independence, and create more jobs in your district
- We need you to speak to Senator Reid / Speaker Pelosi and tell them how important it is to your constituents to keep solar tax credits in the energy bill.

What the Solar Industry Needs
- Eight-year extension of the 30% business ITC under Section 48
- Six-year extension of the 30% residential ITC under Section 25D
- Elimination of the existing $2,000 limit on the 30% residential solar ITC under Section 25D
- Permit corporate and individual taxpayers to claim the ITC against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
- Elimination of the public utility exception to the ITC.

Please call in support of the solar ITC!