UB Solar Installation Designer to be Announced Today

UB President John B. Simpson and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will introduce the winning designer of an innovative solar installation to be constructed on UB's North Campus at event to be held at 3:30 p.m. today, Thursday, April 22, in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery's Clifton Hall, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

UB conducted an invitational design competition to ensure that the solar installation, which will line its Flint Road entrance, will create a visually attractive gateway that integrates beauty with engineering innovation and environmental sustainability. Three finalists were chosen from among a group of internationally renowned designers who entered the competition.

Renderings of the design will be on display (see attached web link).

The solar installation will enable UB to generate 1.1 megawatts of clean energy onsite each year, providing power for 735 student apartments and reducing the university's carbon emissions by more than 500 metric tons per year. It is just one part of UB's strong commitment to climate neutrality. Construction of the solar array is expected to begin in August.

The solar installation will be more than an energy-producing facility. Envisioned as a significant land art installation, it also will be the largest solar array on a college or university campus in New York State, and one of the largest on a college or university campus in the U.S.

The winning designer was chosen by a selection panel co-chaired by Albright-Knox Art Gallery Director Louis Grachos and Burchfield Penney Art Center Director Ted Pietrzak.

Parking for members of the media is available in front of Clifton Hall.

Media arrangements: John DellaContrada in the UB Office of Communications at 645-4601 and onsite at 361-3006.