1) Installing all possible onsite rooftop solar arrays given Cal Poly's current infrastructure could meet 38% of the university's energy needs and increase onsite renewable energy generation capacity by 10.9 MW, contributing to CSU and state renewable energy goals. 2) Further rooftop solar installations and a planned 1 MW solar farm could help Cal Poly achieve 58% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. 3) To meet its commitment to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050, Cal Poly will need to continue expanding onsite renewable energy generation from sources like additional rooftop solar and solar farms.

1. PolyPanels:
PolyPanels contribution to Cal Poly policies and certifications
Poly Panels calculates that 38% of Cal Poly’s energy needs met by installation of all possible
onsite rooftop solar arrays given its current infrastructure. PolyPanels does not advocate that all
10.9 MW should be installed. The calculations only show what is possible based on usable roof
space on Cal Poly infrastructure not being considered for demolition in the foreseeable future.
. ​ ​*Selected policies and certification guidelines below concern onsite rooftop solar arrays only
2014 CSU Sustainability Policy:
1. Climate Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, 80% below 1990
by 2040
a. In 2015, the Cal Poly GHG inventory showed that the university had already met
the CSU goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels, five years ahead of the 2020
target.
2. Increase CSU on-site generation capacity from 44 to 80 MW by 2020 (sum of all CSU
campus’s energy generation)
a. By installing every plausible rooftop solar array on campus with the university's
current infrastructure (including Student Housing South), Cal Poly would increase
their renewable onsite energy capacity by 10.9 MW (16,970,900 kWh per year).
3. Exceed the CA Renewable Portfolio Standard of 33% Renewable Energy by 2020
a. The majority of electricity use on campus
for Cal Poly is for lighting and HVAC
(Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning). Cal Poly purchases
approximately 92% of its electricity needs
from Pacific Gas and Electric Company,
and generates the other 8% on site from a
combination of solar PV and cogeneration.
The figure to the right shows a 2015
breakdown of PG&E’s power mix.
b. Cal Poly’s current campus energy needs are
about 45,000,000 kWh per year. The 16,970,900 kWh​ ​of onsite solar will
contribute about 38% of Cal Poly’s energy needs. This percentage added to
PG&E’s current renewable percentage of 30% (which would make up ​17% of Cal
Poly’s renewable energy [accounting for 38% rooftop solar, and current use of

2. 92% of remaining energy demand])​ would supply Cal Poly’s campus with 55%
renewable energy.
i. With Cal Poly’s plan for a 1 MW solar farm the university would receive
58% of its energy needs from renewables.
4. All new construction minimum LEED Silver, strive for Gold or Platinum
a. The last two major construction projects at Cal Poly – the Recreation Center
expansion and the Center for Science and Mathematics – are designed to meet
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards.
All current and future renovation and construction projects such as Student
Housing South (1.1 MW of rooftop solar) will meet the LEED certification
standards.
AASHE STARS rating:
Applying PV paneling on campus roofs along with a set plan for further installations on new
buildings planned for construction, Cal Poly’s AASHE STARS percentage would go up​ 5-10%
depending on the university's points received for Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Clean and
Renewable Energy, Coordination, Planning, and Governance, and Sustainable Investments
(calculated 14-22 points out of 208). Once Cal Poly achieves 25% of the STARS credits, it will
receive international recognition for its sustainability efforts. Once it reaches 45% it will
complete the new CSU mandated minimum score.
Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment:
By signing the Second Nature Climate Commitment, Cal Poly’s President Armstrong has
committed to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality and climate resilience by 2050. This gives Cal
Poly about 33 years to implement 100% renewable energy consumption. Because the 2014 CSU
sustainability policy requires on-site generation capacity to 80 MW by 2020, it is important that
much of this renewable energy comes from Cal Poly land. This energy can come in the form of
rooftop solar, solar farms, windmills, hydroelectric plants or any other renewable resource.
Given the university's location and finances, solar power seems to be the most viable option. The
university already plans on creating a 1 MW solar farm but has limited plans for rooftop solar on
campus (besides LEED certified future building projects such as Student Housing South).
PolyPanels calculates that 38% percent of university's energy demand can be met from rooftop
solar arrays. This percentage is calculated from the current energy consumption of 44,683,131
kWh per year. While this energy demand will change along with the progressive expansion of
infrastructure and student population every year, I still believe that the estimate is valuable for
the consideration of future projects. Cal Poly will have to continue to LEED certify their
construction projects, hopefully at Gold or Platinum levels. Cal Poly must continue to install
solar power along with LEED building projects until 100% renewable energy is achieved before
2050.