Over the summer, 112 newly-installed photovoltaic (PV) panels atop the roof of Overlook Hall were connected to the university’s electric grid, quietly generating power for campus buildings at a rate that will supply some 50,000 kilowatt-hours per year. The solar panels, valued at more than $27,000, were donated by Strata Solar.

To celebrate, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in Overlook Hall’s rooftop lounge, which provides a great view of the new solar array.

“We are very excited about the solar panels since it will be the first time that renewable energy on campus is happening in a very visible place,” said Aaron Rothemich, a senior biology major who serves as a co-director of the Student Environmental Center. “It’s an important step to larger-scale sustainability on campus, and we hope to provide an interface that will encourage academic integration. Classes can engage with solar on campus, and students can learn where the energy is going.”

The ribbon-cutting will come exactly one week after new Provost Joseph Urgo convened his inaugural faculty forum, and focused discussion on ways to more strongly integrate sustainability into the university curriculum. “Choosing sustainability as the first forum topic demonstrates that it is a top priority,” said Urgo. “It is integral to our teaching and research as well as our planning and design.”

UNC Asheville’s Director of Sustainability, Sonia Marcus, who led discussion at the forum, hopes the Overlook Hall solar array will be a first step in building momentum for sustainability efforts through the fall semester. “In October alone, we will have 10 days of campus activities with Greenfest, a celebration with our Montford neighbors of the official opening of the new greenway along Reed Creek, and the Ecomusicologies conference that will bring ecologically-minded musicians and scholars to Asheville from across the globe.”

Students looking to get more involved in sustainability on campus can learn more on the Student Environmental Center website.