The Dominican Adventist University (UNAD) became the first higher education institution in the Dominican Republic to be supplied with 100% photovoltaic energy, harvested from the sun. Thus, it establishes a milestone, both nationally and internationally, with the inauguration of the renewable energy system capable of supplying all the electrical energy of its two university campuses.
The project consisted of installing two solar photovoltaic generation systems. The first was installed on the roofs of the UNAD extension buildings in Santo Domingo, with a power of 151 KWp, which was completed on December 14, 2021.
The second system was built in the open field, at the back of the softball park, at its headquarters located in Villa Sonador, Monseñor Nouel province, with a power of 574.56 KWp. This plant has the capacity to generate about 2,306 KWh/day, obtaining savings of 110.82% of the monthly consumption of the entire campus.
In a press release, UNAD reported that the total cost of both power generation systems amounted to about 34 million pesos. Through this renewable energy solution, a return on investment is projected at 3.5 years, taking into account the current cost of 9.89 pesos per KWh.
“It should be noted that these systems have a 25-year production guarantee on photovoltaic solar panels, so savings benefits of almost 200 million pesos will be generated,” the university reported.
Municipal and business authorities and leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church institutions from all over the country were present at the inauguration ceremony of the plant, located at the UNAD headquarters.
“As an institution we are committed to caring for natural resources as part of our educational philosophy. When using the solar energy Through photovoltaic panels, UNAD is helping to reduce the production of carbon dioxide, the loss of thousands of trees, as well as the reduction of global warming”, said José David Gómez, rector of the house of higher studies.
During its 44-year history, UNAD has contributed to national development, bringing more than 8,500 professionals to the labor market.
There are thousands of young people who are trained every year and who are distributed in the careers of Business Administration, Accounting, Nursing, Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Education, Software Engineering and Theology; as well as in the master’s degrees in University Teaching, Business Management and Management of Educational Centers.
The UNAD reported that the Master’s programs in Psychology, specializing in Family Therapy, and the Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Research will soon begin.
