SWTC receives design-build project worth $1.6 million

FENNIMORE, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – Southwest Wisconsin Technical College recently received a $1.6 million design-build project to enhance campus resiliency and sustainability while delivering cost savings and enhanced efficiency.

The $1.6 million design-build project includes a 300-kilowatt solar array and a 125-kilowatt battery storage system, installed in an area behind the Knox Learning Center.

The electricity produced by the solar array will be used exclusively for Building 400, one of the most populated buildings on campus during the summer.

The system is expected to produce approximately 352,710 kilowatt hours, or approximately 60 percent of the building’s electricity, saving the college approximately $30,000 per year in utility costs. Southwest Tech contracted with Ameresco to develop a 10-year Comprehensive Energy Plan.

The plan, which was fully completed by January 2024, outlines a path to achieve a 62 percent reduction in building energy use and a 100 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade through four primary strategies: electrification of gas-fired equipment, lighting upgrades and controls, HVAC control strategies, and solar installations.

As part of its commitment to sustainability and innovation, the college has plans to use the new solar array and battery energy storage system (BESS) as educational tools to teach students and train apprentices.

By integrating these renewable energy technologies into their curriculum, the college aims to provide hands-on learning experiences that will prepare students for careers in the growing field of sustainable energy.

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