Fresh Off the Red-Eye, Winning Solar Designer to be Introduced this Afternoon

(Editor's note: This media advisory replaces an email sent earlier today that misstated the UB residences that will be powered by a new solar array. The solar installation will provide power to 735 student apartments, not 735 residence halls.)

Fresh off a red-eye flight from California, artist Walter Hood of Oakland (Photo: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/11247) will be introduced today as the winner of a UB-sponsored international competition to design a massive solar installation that will power 735 student apartments (not 735 residence halls) on UB's North Campus.

Hood was chosen from among a group of internationally renowned designers who entered the competition.

When & Where: Today (April 22) 3:30 p.m. Albright Knox Art Gallery's Clifton Hall, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

Visuals: Renderings of the Hood design will be on display as part of the "UB Solar" exhibit at the Albright Knox. Downloadable images here:

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/11217

About the UB solar project: Funded by the New York Power Authority, the solar installation will be more than an energy-producing facility. Envisioned as a significant land art installation that will attract visitors to Buffalo, it also will be the largest solar array on a college or university campus in New York State, and one of the largest on a college or university campus in the U.S.

UB conducted an invitational design competition to ensure that the solar installation, which will line its Flint Road entrance, will create a visually attractive gateway that integrates beauty with engineering innovation and environmental sustainability.

The solar installation will enable UB to generate 1.1 megawatts of clean energy onsite each year, reducing the university's carbon emissions by more than 500 metric tons per year. It is just one part of UB's strong commitment to climate neutrality.

Media arrangements: John DellaContrada in the UB Office of Communications, 361-3006.