ESTABLISHING THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC DIMENSIONS AND THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANCTI SPÍRITUS

Abstract

Academic and working activities carried out in Higher Education Institutions emit greenhouse gasses determining their carbon footprint. At University of Sancti Spíritus, the Central Campus is the largest area and the one with the highest electricity consumption. On the other hand, at Campus I there is a center devoted to the study and implementation of energy-renewable sources. The objective of this paper is to calculate the carbon footprint by electricity consumption of both campuses and to establish the dimensions of a solar photovoltaic installation connected to the grid to meet their demand. For calculating, the methodology of the Norm UNE-ISO 14064-1 and the Guidelines of the United Nations´ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were followed. For establishing the dimensions, the design principles found in literature were considered. As a result, it was determined that in 2018 the aforementioned campuses emitted more than 314 t CO₂ eq by electric consumption and accordingly, the calculating system concluded that their demand could be met with a solar photovoltaic installation connected to the grid of 650 poly-crystalline panels of 265 Wp for the Central Campus, and 200 for Campus I, consequently decreasing their carbon footprint.