Renewable Energy Tracker
Ivy Stacks
The UVA-owned Ivy Stacks solar array was designed and installed by Sun Tribe Solar and aims to support the University's sustainability and carbon-reduction goals.
The solar array came online in May 2018 and can operate at a peak capacity of 120 kW of AC electricity. The 470 panels are on the roof of the newly-expanded Ivy Stacks high-density shelving facility, which stores millions of valued but rarely requested books.
The energy produced from the solar array is consumed directly by the Ivy Stacks building but is net-metered to allow for crediting by Dominion Power in case more energy is produced by the panels than is consumed by the building at any given moment. When this occurs, the Dominion electricity meter “spins backwards” and UVA gets credit from Dominion for that amount of energy.
The Ivy Stacks building is certified LEED Silver by the US Green Building Council, which recognizes a wide range of sustainable building features including the solar array.
Current solar production
Total solar production since May 2, 2018
Production
Total production: kWh
Average production: kW
After 6 hours at peak capacity, this solar installation is estimated to generate 720 kWh and save 536 kg of greenhouse gas emissions. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from:
- 1,313 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle
- 60 gallons of gasoline consumed
- 586 pounds of coal burned to generate energy
On a daily basis, the average US residential utility customer consumes approximately 30 kWh of electricity (emitting approximately 45 kg of greenhouse gas emissions), drives 37 miles, and uses approximately 4.5 gallons of gasoline and 41 lbs of coal.
1 kWh equals
Less than an hour using a dishwasher (1,000 - 1,500 watts)
Environmental Savings from Total Solar Production to Date
metric tons of CO2 avoided
gallons of water saved
barrels of crude oil not used