Industry
Education
Challenge
UW-Stevens Point set out to create a more sustainable, healthy, and high-performing library and student resource center. That meant implementing a solar solution that fit within the project’s broader sustainability goals while supporting the university’s long-term vision for the building.
Results
With a 46.56 kW installation completed in July 2023 and an additional 166 kW system expected to begin operation in June 2026, the Kirby Library and Student Resource Center solar project totals 212.56 kW across 380 Qcells modules. Delivered in partnership with Total Electric, the system is expected to generate 276,000 to 319,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually while avoiding approximately 155 to 179 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year. The project reflects UWSP’s ongoing investment in campus sustainability and demonstrates the value of solar as part of a modern student-centered academic facility. Photo Credit: Gale and Paul Kirby Library and Student Resource Center (SRC)
Project Tags
Commercial Solar, Solar Electric
UW-Stevens Point Kirby Library and Student Resource Center Goes Solar
A primary goal of this project was to help support a sustainable and healthy building. Designed as a modern library and student resource center, the facility brings together academic support, student services, and sustainability-focused building features in one campus destination. In addition to solar electricity, the project includes design elements that support wellness, resource efficiency, and a strong connection to the surrounding environment.
The Challenge
UW-Stevens Point set out to create a campus facility that would serve students well while advancing broader sustainability goals. Northwind’s challenge was to deliver a solar solution that aligned with the building’s performance goals, integrated smoothly with the overall project, and supported the university’s long-term commitment to sustainable campus development.
The Solution
Northwind Solar designed and installed a custom solar electric system for UW-Stevens Point’s new Kirby Library and Student Resource Center. The project began with a 46.56 kW photovoltaic array in July 2023, with an additional 166 kW system scheduled for operation in June 2026. In partnership with Total Electric, Northwind delivered a solar solution sized to support the university’s sustainability goals and complement the building’s broader design intent.
The Results
At UW-Stevens Point’s Kirby Library and Student Resource Center, Northwind’s solar installation is projected to deliver approximately $19,600 to $22,600 in annual avoided electricity costs, creating an estimated $490,000 to $566,000 in gross electricity-cost value over 25 years, based on UWSP’s modeled utility-cost assumption and Northwind’s planning-level production estimate. With a combined total of 212.56 kW, the system is expected to generate 276,000 to 319,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually and avoid 155 to 179 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year. The project shows how higher education institutions can integrate solar into major campus facilities while reinforcing long-term sustainability goals.