Through a new solar array at George Mason University's Fairfax Campus, the sun will play double-duty in the successful growth of plants. Solar energy will power the Presidents Park Greenhouse with the electricity it needs to support the plants growing inside.
Designed by student researchers and partially funded by a research grant, the solar array will help offset the energy consumption for the equipment and temperature controls in the greenhouse, which uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce on campus.
A team of 10 George Mason student researchers applied for support from the Patriot Green Fund, an annual sustainability fund provided by Facilities and Campus Operations to make George Mason's campuses more sustainable through infrastructure improvements. The Patriot Green Fund covers $20,000 of the total $185,000 project cost. The remainder of the budget is provided by Facilities and Campus Operations.
"This student-led project is designed to reduce electricity costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide educational and volunteer opportunities for the George Mason community," said Demin Zhu, Patriot Green Fund program manager with University Sustainability.
© Ron Aira/Office of University BrandingThe Presidents Park Greenhouse uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce on campus
The Presidents Park Greenhouse operates year-round and produces approximately 1,000 pounds of fresh lettuce and salad greens annually, which are served on campus at Ike's dining hall. Other fruits, vegetables, and herbs are donated to the George Mason community through free produce pickups.
Students are a driving force behind greenhouse operations, working inside for service hours, internships, and experiential learning. They have the opportunity to learn about the greenhouse's hydroponic and aquaponic food production systems.
"The electricity from the solar panels will feed into the greenhouse to power our fans, pumps, cooling system, and grow lights," said Doni Nolan, greenhouse and gardens program manager with University Sustainability. "The electrical equipment helps us grow lettuce, baby greens, tomatoes and more in the greenhouse to provide local sustainable ingredients to our dining halls."
The ground-mounted solar panels will be installed outside the greenhouse and are expected to offset more than 80% of the electricity it requires. The solar array is estimated to produce more than 22,000 kWh per year. The panels will reduce the building's annual greenhouse gas impact by 13.8 metric tons of CO2, which is about equal to the carbon footprint of 2.2 typical single-family homes.
© Ron Aira/Office of University BrandingA team of 10 George Mason student researchers applied for support from the Patriot Green Fund, an annual sustainability fund provided by Facilities and Campus Operations to make George Mason's campuses more sustainable through infrastructure improvements
The students developed the project under the guidance of several George Mason faculty and staff, including Nolan, Christy Hogan, who is senior director of university asset management in Facilities and Campus Operations, and Colin Reagle, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
George Mason currently has one other on-campus solar array, at Mason Square. Vertical solar panels on the face of Fuse demonstrate how a solar array can be integrated into a building's design in an urban setting. A vertical solar array requires less space and captures sunlight from multiple directions throughout the day. The array produces about 1% of the electricity used by the building and is part of a range of sustainable features that help Fuse meet LEED Platinum standards.
The installation at President's Park expected to be complete by early June.
Crystal Bowers, BS Mechanical Engineering '23, was one of the students who led the solar array project during her time at George Mason.
"Working on the Solar Greenhouse Project was one of the most impactful experiences of my time at George Mason University," said Bowers. "It not only deepened my understanding of sustainable infrastructure and project management, but also demonstrated the power of collaboration in transforming ideas into tangible, lasting change on campus."
Source: George Mason University