Brown U Purchases & Retires Energy From 40 MW Solar Project

The university began receiving in mid-November clean electricity from a 40 megawatt photovoltaic project that is projected to meet two-thirds of on-campus electricity consumption.

MIT, Harvard U & Tufts U Join Consortium to Purchase Renewable Energy

Eleven Massachusetts organizations comprising the Consortium for Climate Solutions, which includes MIT and Harvard and Tufts Universities, have signed a power purchase agreement to buy electricity from two large-scale renewable energy projects (wind and photovoltaic) totaling 408 megawatts.

Niagara U Connects 4 MW On-Campus Solar Array

The university recently completed a 17-acre, four-megawatt project, featuring 7,500 bifacial solar panels with sun tracking that follows the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production. Coupled with the university’s hydropower supply, the solar project allows the university’s electric consumption to become 100 percent carbon neutral.

U California Irvine Health to Complete 1.4 MW Photovoltaic Project

The university announced a new partnership to install two solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays atop new parking structures at the UCI Health – Irvine Campus Medical Complex.

Harvard U Expands Green Revolving Fund from $12 to $37M

The new $37 million green revolving fund (GRF) priorities are to 1) accelerate additional energy efficiency, especially heat/energy recovery and load reduction, in all buildings; 2) replace fossil fuel equipment with electric technology at end-of-life, whenever possible; and 3) when renovating space or changing HVAC systems or equipment, design the equipment to use low temperature hot water for future flexibility. The GRF allows schools and units at Harvard to apply for a zero-interest loan and pay back the principal over up to 10 years.

U California San Diego Receives $7M for Campus Microgrid Battery System

The new funding will allow the university to replace a decade old lithium-ion battery system that's part of its 55-megawatt campus microgrid. Scheduled to come online in the latter half of 2025, the new system represents an eightfold increase in energy capacity.

Dillard U & Partner to Receive $19M for Resiliency & Pollution Reduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced over $19M in community grant funding for the university and United Way of Southeast Louisiana to reduce pollution and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters. This funding will improve transportation access, expand bike sharing programs and increase EV chargers. Several buildings will be retrofit with energy-efficient HVAC systems, solar power and energy storage so they can serve as community resilience hubs during emergencies. The university will also launch new non-degree certificate programs in clean energy and climate resilience.

Miami U Receives $5M Gift to Support Campus Solar Park

A recently received $5 million gift from alumni will help the university reach its 2040 carbon neutrality goal through the creation of the Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park. The park will encompass two ground-mounted solar panel installations. Money saved from solar energy will be invested in a donor-designated endowment fund.

Thompson Rivers U to Begin Low-Carbon District Energy Installation

The university recently broke ground on a low-carbon district energy system that is projected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent. Replacing the university’s natural gas boilers, the high-efficiency electrified district heating system will feature air-source and water-source heat pumps, along with backup and peaking boilers.

Bentley U to Purchase 100% Wind Power

The university recently signed a four-year agreement to purchase electricity from a wind farm in Maine. The purchase is anticipated to supply 100 percent of the electricity needs of the university through 2027. The wind site will be incorporated into an intensive field course on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Sonoma State U to Complete Solar Array & Battery Bank

Projected to help the university save $6 million over 30 years, the 4.5-megawatt solar array and 1.5-megawatt battery bank installation is expected to meet one-third of the university’s annual electricity consumption when it becomes active in spring 2025.

U Manchester Enters Solar Electricity Purchase Agreement

(U.K.) The university recently signed a corporate power purchase agreement for up to 65 percent of its electricity demand to be supplied from a large-scale solar farm comprising 175 acres. The university will purchase approximately 80 percent of the electricity for a decade from the project.