William Paterson

William Paterson University, Wayne NJ | 2.7 MW Rooftop & Parking Lot Canopies

Scope of Work

SunDurance Energy has completed the installation of a solar generation facility for William Paterson University (WPU) at its Wayne, NJ campus.  This 2.7 megawatt (MW) system is one of the largest solar energy systems at a university in the U.S. and is comprised of over 11,856 panels, covering both rooftops and elevated parking lot canopies. Under the PPA, the University is expected to save over $3 million in energy costs without any additional capital expenditures.  

Brief Description of Effort

Engineered, procured and constructed by SunDurance, the system is primarily composed of elevated solar arrays located in several parking lots in addition to roof-mounted systems on four buildings. 

While SunDurance won the project in a competitive bid, this was first and foremost a project development effort.  WPU issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) asking for PV projects on numerous rooftops that would incorporate extensive repairs and asked that the  repair costs be included in the rate the university would pay for the solar electricity under a PPA.  SunDurance analyzed the RFP and determined that such an approach would result in solar electricity rates far in excess of WPU’s present cost of grid electricity.

Other bidders did as asked and quoted extremely high rates for the solar power.  SunDurance took a value engineering approach and determined that parking structures over the many existing lots could provide ample solar electricity at a discount to WPU’s grid rates. SunDurance’s creative solution led to the award of the project.

Although the parking lots provided the solution that SunDurance needed, they also presented a challenge.  WPU is located in a suburban area and has limited parking, so all work had to be carefully choreographed to avoid inconveniencing the students and faculty.  SunDurance worked very closely with university management, facilities personnel and campus security to ensure clear communication, parking and facility availability to meet campus needs and, most importantly, that the project would be constructed with a comprehensive focus on safety for students and faculty as well as SunDurance employees.