Following a vote by its Board of Regents, the University of Michigan plans to invest $70 million in campus solar array installations across its three campuses and surrounding areas.

Project to Deliver 25 MW Across U-M Campuses

The campus solar project, managed by Houston-based sustainable energy firm Radial Power, is expected to generate 20 megawatts of power for the Ann Arbor campus, plus an additional five megawatts for the Flint and Dearborn campuses combined.

In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Shana Weber, associate vice president for campus sustainability, said Radial Power was chosen partly for its commitment to collaborating with faculty and students.

Installations to Serve as Educational Tools

The solar arrays will also serve as an educational tool for the campus community, though the specifics of this collaboration are still being developed.

Weber said, “There were multiple University of Michigan units involved in the selection. Radial was chosen from 16 firms that responded to that call for proposals as they are interested in partnering, not just to install solar panels but to engage in the University’s research and teaching missions as well.”

“Part of it will be developing conversations about what faculty and students want to learn from these systems,” Weber stated. “So how do we install them in a way that there’s easy access to the data there?

“Maybe there could be a smaller scale, more experimental installation somewhere on campus that’s more focused on a research question.”

Benefits to Extend Beyond Campus

The University is also ensuring the project benefits the communities surrounding its campuses.

Solar panels installed at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex

“Part of the installation job will also include installing solar out in the community, off-campus,” Weber said. “That’s one of the things that we’re very committed to — how we demonstrate a transition to renewable energy, while also making sure that the broader community benefits as well.”

A Major Step Toward Carbon Neutrality

This project is a significant step toward the University’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

In an interview with The Daily, University Regent Paul Brown said, “The goal of being carbon neutral by 2040 is a very optimistic goal, and we are such a sprawling institution that it’s going to take every strategy in the book to achieve that.

“We are also using geothermal energy in many of our buildings, but that and solar energy won’t be the only two,” he added. “We will have to be creative and employ as many strategies as we can to achieve that goal.”

LSA junior Hailey Kempf, president of the professional environmental fraternity Epsilon Eta, told The Daily that achieving carbon neutrality is especially important in the fight against climate change.

“Carbon neutrality is crucial, particularly in this era of heightened concern about climate change. It matters because much of our energy comes from fossil fuels, which release significant amounts of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere,” Kempf explained.

“Cleaner energy sources like solar power can lower our carbon emissions and potentially help reduce the greenhouse gases driving climate change.”

Brown emphasized the University’s commitment to setting a national and international example for finding effective climate change solutions.

“In considering ‘if not here, where; if not now, when,’ we fully embrace these questions,” Brown stated. “As an institution, we are dedicated to leading by example, particularly in addressing climate change, recognized as one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Our aim is to be a pioneer and set a precedent for other institutions worldwide in tackling this issue.”

The University of Michigan’s investment in solar array installations marks a significant stride toward sustainability and carbon neutrality. By partnering with Radial Power and engaging faculty, students, and the surrounding communities, the University demonstrates its commitment not only to reducing carbon emissions but also to fostering innovation and education in renewable energy.

With these goals set for the future, the University is poised to lead by example in addressing climate change, inspiring others to follow suit and create a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.