Capital Projects

Solar Panel Installation

The University has partnered with Volt Energy to install 1.2 megawatts (MWs) of solar photovoltaic (PV) at Howard University which, when completed, is expected to be the largest on-site solar project in Washington, DC. The project will install PV systems on multiple rooftops and parking canopies at the University’s main campus, Service Center, and Howard University School of Law. The project has kicked off and the first two sites will be turned on in May of this year and the overall project will be completed by the fall of 2020. The total project will produce more than 30,000 MWh of electricity during the 20-year contract; equivalent to the average amount of electricity consumed by 3,113 U.S. homes per year. Additionally, the project will avoid the creation of nearly 21,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent during the project’s span.

Stormwater Mitigation – Law School Parking Lot

Stormwater runoff from the Howard University Law School parking lot has been a continuing source of concern for the University, neighbors and a host of other environmental entities. This project includes the installation of a number of different Green Infrastructure (GI) Practices (a.k.a. as Best Management Practices, BMPs) to support the stormwater management efforts at the Howard University Law School site and reduce the stormwater runoff that enters streams and the District’s storm drain system. These GI practices are structural, vegetative or managerial practices used to treat, prevent or reduce water pollution. This project is targeting the design and construction of GI practices within the Howard University Law School parking lot and adjacent lawn to reduce and treat the 1.2-inch stormwater retention volume (SWRv) as defined by the DOEE Stormwater Management Regulations. The project will also reduce negative environmental impacts caused by erosion and pollutants, improve local ecosystem quality including cleaner water and air and provide a healthier work environment. The main focus of this project will be the installation of bioretention and pervious pavers in the parking lot and native plantings within the adjacent upland open space.

Submetering- Building Energy Use

In an effort to understand our energy use on campus and in the face of escalating utility costs, energy submetering and monitoring provides a prime opportunity for achieving substantially lower energy uses and financial savings on campus. The University has partnered with GB Energie to install submeters in University buildings across campus. The project will use the Leviton meters to monitor electricity, gas, water, and steam. Installing a Leviton VerifEye EMH+ submetering system provides visibility into downstream energy usage that can be used to improve energy efficiency and distribute costs equitably. Identifying and correcting system inefficiencies and equipment problems using data provided by submeters can result in significant savings. The system can also be used to identify buildings that use excessive energy as compared to other buildings on campus and the national averages for the specific building type. Data will be available in fifteen minute intervals for developing analytical reports and graphs.

Led Lighting Conversion And Sensors

In 2018, Howard University initiated a partnership with GB Energie, an exterior LED lighting project. The scope of work included retrofitting all exterior lighting to the more energy efficient LED technology. That project was completed and resulted in 100% exterior lighting on campus. This saves an estimated 50% reduction in the electricity use of exterior lighting. That effort was followed by focusing on interior lighting retrofit opportunities in University buildings. Like the previous project, the initiative is being approached in a phased multi-year project effort. Two phases have already been completed and subsequent phases are in the planning stages. Partial funding comes from the DCSEU grants and rebates programs as did the previous exterior lighting projects. The project’s scope also includes the installation of lighting sensors in rooms. This adds to the energy savings by making sure lighting is only used when an occupant is present.