Title: Solar energy for green university: estimation of economic, environmental and image benefits

Authors: Tetiana Kurbatova; Daria Lysenko; Galyna Trypolska; Olha Prokopenko; Marina Järvis; Tetiana Skibina

Addresses: International Economic Relations Department, Sumy State University, 2, Rimsky-Korsakov Street, UA-40007, Sumy, Ukraine ' International Economic Relations Department, Sumy State University, 2, Rimsky-Korsakov Street, UA-40007, Sumy, Ukraine ' Institute for Economics and Forecasting, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 26, Panasa Myrnoho Street, Kyiv, Ukraine ' Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences, 10a, Suur-Sõjamäe Street, 11415, Tallinn, Estonia; Economics Department, Collegium Mazovia Innovative University, 161, Sokołowska, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland ' Business Administration, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Science, 10a, Suur-Sõjamäe Street, 11415, Tallinn, Estonia; Tallinn University of Technology, 5, Ehitajate tee, 19086, Tallinn, Estonia ' General Economic Training Department, Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University, 23, Stritenska Street, UA-73006, Kherson, Ukraine

Abstract: The paper considers the main components of the green university concept, the foreign experience of environmental transformation of higher education institutions, and the impact of eco-innovations implementation on strengthening universities' position in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. The green strategy of Sumy State University, the results of its implementation, and prospects for improvement in terms of increasing renewable energy sources usage through the solar power plant installation are analysed. The effectiveness of the solar power plant investment project and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by replacing conventional electricity with electricity generated by the solar power plant are estimated. It is proved that in addition to economic and environmental benefits, the implementation of the solar energy project will positively impact the university's image at the national and international levels.

Keywords: green university; solar energy; investment project; benefits; Sumy State University; Ukraine.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2022.126209

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2022 Vol.21 No.2/3/4, pp.198 - 216

Received: 30 May 2021
Accepted: 15 Nov 2021
Published online: 14 Oct 2022 *

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