Univ. Amsterdam to place 2,500 solar panels on rooftops

The University of Amsterdam and Hogeschool van Amsterdam will be placing 2,563 solar panels on the roofs of five buildings next year, the UvA announced on Friday. The solar panels will cover a total area of 4,100 square meters and produce around 600 thousand kWh of energy, roughly equivalent to the energy consumption of 200 households. The project will start in February 2016 and will be done in collaboration with project developer OVG Real Estate. According to the UvA, the 600 thousand kWh of green energy will not only reduce the tertiary institutions' CO2 emissions, it will also save them approximately 66 thousand euros per yyear on regular energy procurement. "By harnessing the potential of its roofs, the UvA and HvA contribute to the transition to a sustainable energy system", said Harold Swartjes, director of Facility Services UvA and HvA. Buildings from the UVA set to receive the solar panels include the Amsterdam Business School on the Roeterseiland campus, and both the Amsterdam University College and Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Science Park. The Dr. Meurerhuis and the Nicolaes Tulphuis from the HvA will also get panels on their rooftops.