'Green UH Day' on Nov. 2 Celebrating Campus Sustainability, New Partnership with Green Mountain Energy

UH Flipping the Switch on New Solar Panels Donated by Green Mountain Energy

Each fall, the University of Houston celebrates campus sustainability on “Green UH Day.” This year’s event will showcase UH’s environmentally friendly initiatives while commemorating its new partnership with Green Mountain Energy.

Solar Panels at UH“Green UH Day” runs 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nov. 2 in UH’s Butler Plaza (Entrance 1 off Calhoun Road). During this event, UH and Green Mountain will spotlight the campus’ first solar array with a “Flip the Switch” ceremony at 11:45 a.m.

In April, Green Mountain donated $140,000 for the installation of 88 photovoltaic solar panels for the university’s central utility plant. These panels will power its administrative offices and produce up to 23,615-kilowatt hours of clean energy each year. It is estimated that this array will contribute to energy savings of up to $300,000 over 30 years.

“We are very thankful to Green Mountain Energy for helping us take this significant step in the University of Houston’s clean energy journey to treat the earth right,” said Leah Wolfthal, UH program coordinator for sustainability.

Among the guest speakers at the “Flip the Switch” ceremony are Wolfthal and UH junior Omar Tahir. Tahir was named UH’s first Green Mountain solar intern. Tahir will receive $1,000 from Green UH during both fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters and is tasked with keeping track of the solar array’s performance, updating the Green Mountain Energy Solar Array Website and hosting an on-campus educational event during each semester of the 2011 – 2012 academic year.

During the ceremony, UH representatives will celebrate the naming of the university’s Green Mountain Energy Co. Dining Room. Located inside Moody Towers’ Fresh Food Co., this private dining room was named to honor Green Mountain’s commitment to the university’s green initiatives.

Green UH Day will also feature a weather balloon launch, booths, games, exhibitions and demonstrations from UH departments, colleges and student organizations. Community partners including METRO, Urban Harvest and Today’s Business Solutions also will be in attendance to provide details on how their green initiatives complement those of the university. Green Mountain mascot Super Earth also will be on hand, as well as UH’s own Recycle Man.


For additional details on Green UH Day, visit www.uh.edu/green.

 

WHAT: Green UH Day
WHEN: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nov. 2
WHERE: UH Butler Plaza (in front of M.D. Anderson Library)
WHO: Green UH