Grant funds Coal Free IU project

IU Student Foundation awarded the Sierra Club’s Coal Free IU project with a $12,000 grant.

The 2010-11 Senior Challenge funded the grant; graduating students gave money from their legacy fund to a project to improve IU.

“It was a really great moment for us to not only achieve our goal but to see that our enthusiasm for this project is contagious,” Coal Free IU President Lauren Kastner said. “We were all ecstatic. We really hope that this is going to be kind of the first step and a really great starting point for other energy projects at IU.”

The grant will be used to install a 2-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array panel on the Indiana Memorial Union, which is equivalent to 10 solar panels, Kastner said.

A request for proposals was written based on an understanding of the required scope of the project described by Coal Free IU, University Engineer Jeff Kaden said.

“The request for proposals asks for a system capacity of two kilowatts,” he said.

“Because Indiana has an average daily sun exposure of about four hours, the system will be capable of producing about eight kilowatt-hours of power daily. The power will be distributed into the power network of the Indiana Memorial Union.”

The request has a requirement to install the system and make it operational by April 22, Kaden said.

“This project is another demonstration of the University’s commitment to identifying and deploying proven alternative energy sources, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the renewable energy industry,” he said.   

The IMU wasn’t the original proposed location for the panels, Kastner said.

“We thought the Office of Admissions would be a better location because every incoming student goes through the Office of Admissions,” she said. “It is kind of the starting point for all students who come to IU. It is a smaller building, so it could generate a more significant amount of energy for that building. But, after working with the University’s architect office and the solar panel contractor, we realized that wasn’t the best place to put in solar panels.”

The panels will be installed on the flat roof right below the student activities tower in the IMU, Kastner said.

“We needed a flat panel where we can mat the solar panels at the exact angle that we need to reach the maximum solar capacity,” she said.

Director of Sustainability William Brown said the location is a good choice and the project is a good educational experience for students.

“It is particularly interesting in the IMU because there are 14,000 people who walk through that building everyday,” he said.

There will be a display in the lobby, so people will be able to see how much energy is being produced at any time by the system, Brown said.

The Senior Challenge program, which began in December 2009, was set up by IUSF as a way to fundraise for the Hoosier Legacy Fund. All seniors IUSF has contact information for are solicited, and this year’s graduating class is asked to donate $20.11 to match their graduating year, IUSF Director Dana Cummings said.

“We saw an opportunity for our graduating seniors to make a lasting legacy on campus and the start to beginning the concept of a legacy,” she said. “The purpose is really to better student life on the Bloomington campus.”

IUSF President Ryan Convy said he saw the lasting impact of the Coal Free IU project.

“We really have an opportunity to make a really lasting impact with the University and student life,” he said. “It is a great way for seniors to give back immediately and directly to the University and begin the journey as appreciated alumnus who cares about the University.”