Solar array powers major upgrade to UNC Charlotte’s facility operations building

UNC Charlotte’s Facility Operations Building (FOPS) near North Deck received a solar-powered upgrade this fall. Led by Facilities Management, the building now has 224 solar panels on its roof that will generate clean energy to power the building and contribute to the regional Duke Energy electrical grid.

The rooftop solar array is on the south-facing side of the building to maximize the energy production. It generates 130 kilowatts of power and will produce approximately 187,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year. That output could charge 8 to 9 electric vehicles each day, supply energy to 21 to 23 average U.S. homes each year, and power roughly 11,400 standard LED bulbs while the sun shines.