Shidler College of Business is first to install solar panels on UH Mānoa campus

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Dolly Omiya, (808) 956-6902
Shidler College of Business
Posted: Jan 5, 2009


The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler [SHY-dler] College of Business has begun installing a 4.5-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system on one of its towers over the winter break. The solar panel system is expected to generate approximately 24 kilowatts of power each day, enough to operate courtyard lights for an entire night.

According to V. Vance Roley, Dean of the Shidler College of Business, "We are committed to alternative energy solutions to meet the University of Hawaiʻi‘s overall goal of generating 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020." The new system includes a web-based monitoring system that will allow students, faculty and the general public to monitor solar power, reduced emissions and environmental statistics on a daily basis. The system has the environmental impact of preventing 9,323 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere for a year, which is equivalent to reducing 11,188 miles of auto driving.

"This installation marks a significant change in advancing our sustainability in the future, said Roley. "It‘s not only about being a good corporate citizen; it also makes good business sense. All of the little things we do to reduce energy cost and waste can really add up and save us money in the future. It also feels great that we are doing our part in reducing harmful gas emissions and combating global warming."

The $50,000 system, donated by Hawaiʻi real estate investor and entrepreneur Jay Shidler, is the first to be installed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. "Jay Shidler and the Shidler College of Business should be commended for advancing UH Mānoa toward energy sustainability through the installation of a photovoltaic system," said UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw. "As a research university, UH Mānoa must lead in generating and testing advances in sustainability, as well as contributing to the overall UH initiative to reduce waste, recycle materials and use alternative energy technology to lessen the impact on our environment. There is much we must do in this area for the benefit of current and future generations - we are grateful for Jay Shidler's support in moving us forward."

In Hawaiʻi, a daily average of 5.5 hours of quality sunlight is enough to power the system. The system is low maintenance and produces clean, sustainable energy with no carbon emissions or pollution. It should be up and running by early spring semester.


About the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Established in 1949 as the College of Business Administration, the College was named in 2006 after alumnus Jay H. Shidler, founder and managing partner of The Shidler Group. The Shidler College of Business is renowned for its expertise in international management education and is ranked among the nation's top 25 graduate schools for international business by U.S.News & World Report in 2008. Long recognized for its Asia-Pacific focus, the College is a professional school, offering a wide variety of degree, certificate and executive programs. The College places a strong emphasis on the development of management skills, entrepreneurship and themanagement of business information technology. The UH Shidler College of Business is the only graduate program in the State of Hawaiʻi accredited by AACSB International. For moreinformation, visit www.shidler.hawaii.edu.