The University of Oregon Outdoor Program – which made “pedal power” a popular form of alternative energy – is doing it again.

The public is invited to join in a celebration of the program’s solar project, a 5.88 kilowatt photovoltaic system recently installed on their facility, the OP Barn. The free event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at the EMU Outdoor Program Barn, 1225 E. 18th St.

The project started two years ago as a learning opportunity for student staff who wanted to reduce the program’s impact on natural resources.

Research on energy consumption was conducted and areas of improvement were identified. Partnering with Lane Community College’s Energy Management Program, four students from the program acted as interns and received practicum credit for performing a facility analysis, identifying sources of energy waste and analyzing alternative energy production methods.

The project was funded with support from the Student Sustainability Center and the Associate Students of the University of Oregon. Advance Energy Systems facilitated design and implementation of the project. Photovoltaic panels have generated 206 kWh to date.

For more information, contact Rafael Arroyo, coordinator, at arroyo@uoregon.edu or 541-346-7082.

- from the UO Office of Strategic Communications