Washington and Lee University is now getting some of its electricity from a new solar power system.
Facilities and energy management director Scott Beebe says the system went online in late December. It's expected to provide about 3 percent of the university's electricity needs.
Staunton-based Secure Futures installed 1,016 photovoltaic solar panels atop the roof of the law school building. Another 535 panels were installed on a canopy over the upper deck of the parking garage.
Combined, the arrays can produce 450 kilowatts. That's enough electricity to supply 44 homes in Lexington.
Beebe said Tuesday in a news release that the solar arrays are working as expected.
Secure Futures owns and operates the system. Washington and Lee will buy the electricity at a fixed rate for the next 20 years.
