Adelphi University in Long Island, New York, is currently operating a 295-kilowatt rooftop solar system. In addition to the system's commercial operation, the university has announced a new solar initiative for its 75-acre main campus.

This solar system is installed on the LEED-certified Adelphi Sports and Recreational Center, offsetting a portion of the facility's energy consumption. It represents the latest sustainability initiative implemented by the university. The earliest projects date back to the geothermal heating and cooling system commissioned in 2003, the 50-kilowatt solar project installed at the campus library in 2011, and the 2-megawatt combined heat and power unit completed in 2016.

Carole Ann Boyle, Vice President of Campus Operations, stated, "Smart growth and sustainable infrastructure are key priorities for Adelphi University, and this project aligns directly with these goals." "Increasing solar power generation is a crucial step for Adelphi toward a cleaner and more sustainable future."

The project initially encountered unexpected setbacks as the gymnasium roof at the sports center deteriorated prematurely. The original manufacturer had ceased operations, yet the facility urgently required a roof replacement. At the time, Robert Shipley, Vice President of Facilities Management at Adelphi, considered replacing the roof and installing solar panels simultaneously.

"We had to replace the roof, so the question became: How can we maximize this investment?" Shipley said. "Combining the new roof with a solar system gives us the opportunity to address the immediate issue while bringing long-term benefits to Adelphi for years to come."

SolarKal, a commercial solar consulting and market platform company, began collaborating with Adelphi on this project in 2022.

"As a New Yorker with a personal connection to Adelphi, this has always felt like a hometown project to me," said Neil Sharma, co-founder and chief marketing officer of SolarKal. "After years of effort, it's especially gratifying to see it come to fruition. We secured the right partners, overcame challenges, and ultimately delivered a high-quality project with lasting value for Adelphi."

Greenskies Clean Energy, a commercial solar developer, owner, and operator, has developed and constructed a rooftop solar project consisting of 546 modules and will own and operate the system under a power purchase agreement with Adelphi.

"Projects like this require close coordination throughout the entire process from development to construction and grid integration," said Carson Mislick, Director of Project Delivery at Greenskies Clean Energy. "We are proud to collaborate with Adelphi and SolarKal to successfully complete the project and deliver a system that supports the university's long-term sustainability goals."