Whitman College has installed a 21kW photovoltaic solar array on the Bratton Tennis Center’s rooftop in an effort to reduce the center’s energy costs and promote renewable energy practices in the educational community.

“The amount of energy produced by the photovoltaic panels, which will help offset energy costs, will depend on weather conditions,” said Jeff Donahue, construction project manager. “We are projecting a 20 percent reduction in power needed from the power company as a result of the solar panels, and the $3,150 production incentive we receive from the state will offset 54 percent of the building’s power costs annually.”

This system was installed as part of Whitman’s desire to demonstrate its commitment to environmentally sound projects and to provide a new educational tool to its students.

The 2,500 square foot rooftop installation includes 120 photovoltaic panels, and is the largest solar array in Walla Walla County and in the Washington territories of Pacific Power & Light (PPL) Company. The system will generate an estimated 25,000kWhs annually, which is roughly the amount required to power 3 homes. The resulting CO2 offset of 33,725lbs is equivalent to preventing the emissions of more than 3 cars.