Energy & Sustainability

On Campus Solar Installations

All of CSCU’s on campus solar installations are competitively bid through an RFP process and are Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). By going the PPA route, these installations cost CSCU $0 upfront, all development and construction cost is covered by the developer. The campus simply purchases the power the installation produces, at a rate far less costly than the utility. CSCU does not own the installation, and any maintenance cost is the responsibility of the developer. These public/private agreements leverage a developer’s ability to obtain tax credits normally not available to the public sector and pass on a savings to the CSCU.

Fuel Cell Cost Savings

All of CSCU’s fuel cell installations are competitively bid through an RFP process and are Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). By going the PPA route, these installations cost CSCU $0 upfront, all development and construction cost is covered by the developer. The campus simply purchases the power the installation produces, at a rate far less expensive than the utility. CSCU does not own the installation, and any maintenance cost is the responsibility of the developer. These public/private agreements leverage a developer’s ability to obtain tax credits normally not available to the public sector an pass on a savings to the CSCU.

Energy Savings

CSCU Facilities Staff works directly with the utility to complete projects that are partially subsidized via utility incentives and financed at 0% directly on a campus’ utility bill. The projects all result in some level of energy savings, so the on-bill finance payments are tailored to match the savings to allow for little to no change to a campus’ normal utility bill. After the 0% loan is paid off, the campus will reap the benefits of the energy savings. 

Over 100 Stations

CSCU is installing electric vehicle charging stations with the help of Grant Funds from DEEP.  These stations continue CSCU’s efforts to support sustainable transportation by expanding access to EV charging infrastructure on campuses, and aim to accommodate electric vehicles use while reducing the campus’s overall carbon footprint.

Our campuses work with an energy coach to identify operational changes that can be made to save energy as well as identifying no cost/low cost or capital needs to make necessary changes to save energy. 

Smart Energy Strategy

CSCU Facilities bids out the energy supply rate in a reverse auction for 4 year periods, for all of the campuses. Doing this results in lower supply rate costs than the standard utility supply rate and future proofs the CSCU System from energy rate spikes. The last 4 year term resulted in $10 million in savings, insulating the CSCU System from a spike in energy supply costs post pandemic.