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Dominican Seventh-day Adventist University (UNAD), an institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church of the Dominican Republic, recently became the first institution of higher education in the country to install a solar power plant capable of providing 100% electricity, including the main Villa Sonador campus and Santo Domingo to expand the campus.
Municipalities, business entrepreneurs, regional church leaders and university leaders cut the ribbon at the factory at a recent special ceremony.
“As an institution, we are committed to preserving natural resources, as part of our philosophy of Adventist education, and as God’s steward,” said UNAD President Dr. José David Gómez.”Using solar energy through these photovoltaic [solar] panels, UNAD is helping to reduce carbon dioxide production, the loss of thousands of trees, and a reduction in global warming.”
Parts of the campus are equipped with solar panels that convert renewable electricity into electricity for the entire campus.Credit – [Photo: Dominican Adventist University]
UNAD became the first of 53 higher education institutions operating in the Dominican Republic to adopt this system.Dr. Gómez said there are several institutions that operate partly on solar energy, but not 100 percent like UNAD.
Gómez explained that the plant, installed near what was once a football field, has an installed capacity of 574 kWh and generates 2,306 kWh of electricity per day, which equates to a savings of 110.82 percent of the entire campus’ monthly electricity consumption..The first solar power plant system was installed at UNAD’s expanded campus in Santo Domingo in December 2021.
“With this renewable energy solution, a return on investment is expected in 3.5 years, taking into account the actual cost of 9.89 kWh,” Gomez said.“The cost is up to 34 million reais [about $622,000], and the solar system has a 25-year warranty, which will save more than 200 million reais.”
As electricity continues to increase, paying electricity bills is an expense, not an investment, so the system will continue to save thousands of dollars for years to come, Gómez marvels.
Solar panels are installed on the roof of the Dominican Adventist University extension campus in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.Credit – [Photo: Dominican Adventist University]
Gómez added that the government enacted laws 139-01 and 122-05 that allow energy plants to meet 100 percent of the agency’s needs.In some countries, these solar systems are limited to this alternative because it means losses for power companies, he said.”This frees non-profit higher education institutions like UNAD from paying interest.”
The project began in 2020 with a special committee to study the university’s energy needs.The university then accepted bids from ten suppliers, Gomez said.
Dominican Adventist University is the leader of the 14 Adventist universities in the Americas when it comes to renewable electricity, said Dr. Faye Patterson, Director of Church Education for the Americas Branch.
“We congratulate Dominican Adventist University for this outstanding project that sends a message that Seventh-day Adventists do care about the environment and [are] showing how to save money and protect the environment with this alternative solar system,” Pat Sen said.
Aerial view of solar panels on part of Dominican Adventist University’s campus.Credit – [Photo: Dominican Adventist University]
UNAD was founded in 1946 as Colegio Adventista Dominicano, later renamed Dominican Adventist University, and offers 10 undergraduate and 5 postgraduate degrees.The university is accredited by the Adventist Accreditation Agency and the National Government of the Dominican Republic.
To learn more about Dominican Adventist University and its degree programs, programs, and events, visit unad.edu.do.
Post time: Aug-05-2022