The Catholic University of America

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Energy Initiatives at CUA

Sustainable energy powers Catholic University. With the largest solar installation in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and 100 percent of its electricity purchased with Green e-Certificates, CUA has been recognized as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in North America.

Solar Initiatives

Aquinas 

  • Rooftop solar panel installations on Aquinas Hall, Flather Hall, Gibbons Hall, Pangborn Hall, the Raymond A. DuFour Athletic Center, and the Grounds and Maintenance Building.
     
  • Solar panel canopy installed of 70 parking spaces in O'Boyle Hall parking lot. The parking structure also allows for charging electric-powered vehicles.
     
  • Solar picnic table designed by CUA students and installed on the patio outside the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.
     
  • Washington, D.C.-based Team Capitol DC, which included CUA architecture students and faculty advisers, placed seventh out of 19 contenders in the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

solar canopy

Power Management

Power meters

  • Comprehensive utilities sub-metering program.
     
  • The University purchases approximately 43 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually with Green e-Certificates through Hess Energy Marketing, representing 100 percent of the school’s yearly electricity usage.
     
  • CUA earned the honor of using the most green power among the schools in the Landmark Conference as part of EPA's 2014-2015 College & University Green Power Challenge.
     
  • Use of Energy Star appliances.