Helmke solar panels helping PFW reduce environmental footprint

Though the installation process required nearly 12 months, few may actually notice a difference when the changeover finally happens. However, the new solar panels atop Helmke Library at Purdue University Fort Wayne will have a large environmental impact.

About a year ago, PFW received a $135,000 grant from EBSCO Information Services Solar. The company’s goal is for university libraries to implement solar arrays to reduce their environmental footprints and decrease electricity costs. Mitch Davidson, associate vice chancellor for ITS and chief information officer, applied for the grant in early 2023.

After selecting a contractor and gathering materials and equipment, the last phase of the installation is expected to take place relatively soon. The final hookup to the library’s electrical system will require a four-hour power outage.

The research process included measuring the roof’s solar exposure and tracking the sun’s path during various times of the year. Davidson said he hopes the work inspires students to carry similar projects forward.

“If you are passionate about it, it’s worth doing all the research, worth putting together the statistics,” Davidson said. “It’s been very exciting; one of the bigger accomplishments I feel like I’ve been able to be a part of on campus.”

This year, Davidson also guided an effort to acquire an electric transport van for Information Technology Services, and in 2019 worked with Greg Justice, associate vice chancellor of facilities management, to start a pilot program placing solar panels on Kettler Hall. They now generate 14.8 kilowatts of power, enough for the labs in the building, as well as the esports lab in Walb Student Union.

Davidson credits Justice and Shannon Johnson, library director, for help on the Helmke project. The 114 solar panels will produce 61,000 kilowatt hours of power annually, saving 47 tons of CO2 levels, the equivalent of planting 1,100 trees annually.

An indoor sign inside Kettler tracks the current usage and savings of the roof array, and Davidson said a similar sign inside the library will track Helmke's savings and provide educational information.

“I thought this was a long shot,” Davidson said. “I wanted to do a big enough installation to have some real impact.”