Sunlight in Eugene is almost unseen during the winter. When summer hits, however, Eugene sees the same amount of sunlight as the rest of the nation.
It was because of the energy that sunlight can produce that prompted University students Jocelyn Eisenberg and Ben Gates to submit a proposal to the ASUO Executive in May 2001 during a contest titled “100,000 Bucks for Ducks.” Eisenberg and Gates had a vision to use the money to cover the EMU roof with at least 300 solar panels to promote environmental sustainability.
While only three panels now sit on the EMU, a far cry from 300, Eisenberg said those three panels produce three kilowatts, which is enough to run a medium-size household. Eisenberg added she is hoping to fund another 17 by the end of this summer and said she needs support from the EMU Board to accomplish her goals.
“Let’s get the whole student union and EMU committed to getting this second part to happen,” she said. “I would love to see the next thing happen, and not get lost or forgotten.”
Dr. Frank Vignola, a senior research associate in the physics department, said solar panels basically take sunlight and turn it into electricity by breaking down solar cells.
“Solar cells are like car batteries,” he said. “Instead of having chemical reactions, they have the sun and the sun supplies the energy.”
Vignola also said using energy from resources such as the sun or wind is extremely important because fossil fuels are scarce, and because burning fuels such as oil or natural gas add to “climate global change.”
“Solar energy is a sustainable energy source,” he said. “The sun’s not going to run out for a few billion years.”
Christopher Dymond, an energy analyst with the Oregon Office of Energy, agreed with Vignola, adding solar equipment needs to be installed now. He said that it is valuable to get solar panels in front of the public to show the panels’ effectiveness.
“We need to install today for there to be a viable, mature market in the next 15 years,” he said. “Every solar electric system is important.”
Soon, the EMU will not be the only building on campus that is conserving the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, by using solar energy. The Charles H. Lundquist College of Business is working on construction for the Lillis Business Complex, which will be 50 percent more energy efficient than state code requires. Along with sensors that turn off lights, external shades and light shelves to regulate temperature and lighting that will adjust to daylight levels, photovoltaic panels will be installed. Photovoltaic panels work along the same line as solar panels, using the sun to produce clean solar energy.
Business school Dean Phil Romero said in a statement that the curriculum of the school reflects the values of the Pacific Northwest business community.
“One of the strongest of those values is the recognition of the preciousness of our natural environment and the need to protect those resources,” he said.