Local Sustainable Improvements Create Student Engagement Opportunities

Photo Submitted

A crane raises a bracket that will hold one of the solar panels being installed atop the Fayetteville Public Library. Photo: Kate Sutterfield

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three buildings in Fayetteville are becoming more sustainable thanks to the installation of solar panels, and University of Arkansas students are making it happen. The University of Arkansas Enterprise Center, the Fayetteville Public Library and a Fayetteville district court building will be equipped to use the natural energy of the sun to create energy, save money and positively impact the environment.

“Thanks to a significant discount on the solar panels and installation racks from BP Solar and UniRac, we are able to carry out our vision for improved sustainability in the community,” said Alan Mantooth, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Arkansas. “Getting students involved with a project of such importance is a bonus. This is a fantastic opportunity to incorporate teaching into a hands-on experience that brings textbook information to life.”

“BP is a proud to be part of this innovative initiative to transform Fayetteville’s rooftops into green energy plants,” said Tony Huffman, director of strategic cooperations for BP. “It’s a fantastic way to engage the students and community to help lead us towards a cleaner energy future.”

The Fayetteville Public Library is also engaging electrical engineering students in a big way. The library was awarded a $60,000 grant from the International City/Council Management Association (ICMA) to develop a test bed at the library for solar technology researched and developed in northwest Arkansas. A kiosk will be set up at the library to demonstrate the power the solar panels are generating for the library and how the power is being used. The library was one of nine libraries awarded an ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant out of the 515 libraries that applied. The grants are designed to assist local governments in developing new and creative ways to strategically use their public libraries in meeting community needs.

“This is the culmination of a lot of work and a very positive step forward for this project. Many people within the library and our many partners have been working very hard on this. To have something tangible is a great step forward for the project,” said Shawna Thorup, executive director of the Fayetteville Public Library.

The first of the solar panel installations took place in late April at the district court building. The two large-scale projects with student involvement — the Enterprise Center and the Fayetteville Public Library — will take place this month.

"The Fayetteville Public Library and the University of Arkansas are out in front in the field of sustainability, and this is a great example of that leadership. The city of Fayetteville is excited to be a partner, and proud to have such a quality project in the community,” said John Coleman, sustainability coordinator for the city of Fayetteville.

Partners include AEP/SWEPCO, Arkansas Energy Office, Arkansas Power Electronics International, BP Solar, Campbell Electric, Engineering Consultants Inc., Garver Engineering, Multi-Craft Contractors, National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission, Unirac and United Rentals.