UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State and Lightsource BP announced today (Feb. 5) the development of 70 megawatts of large-scale, offsite solar energy to support the University’s Strategic Plan, which cites stewardship of the planet’s resources as a key priority. The project to install large-scale solar arrays will provide 25 percent of Penn State’s state-wide electricity requirements over a 25-year term, while driving economic development and educational opportunities for the host community.
A win for Penn State, Pennsylvania and the environment
The project, a large-scale, ground-mounted solar array using over 150,000 solar panels in three locations encompassing roughly 500 acres of Franklin County land, will be located just outside of Chambersburg, near Penn State’s Mont Alto campus.
“This project is a win for Penn State, a win for Pennsylvania and a win for the environment,” said Rob Cooper, senior director of energy and engineering in Penn State's Office of Physical Plant. “Among the many benefits of this significant investment in solar-based electric generation include cost savings, lower greenhouse-gas emissions in support of Penn State’s aggressive sustainability goals, economic development with job creation, and income for host communities through development of the Pennsylvania solar market.”
The targeted completion date is set for July 2020.
Guiding the solar project’s development are specific goals and objectives, including:
- Lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the equivalent of 57,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of taking 15,250 internal combustion engine vehicles off the road.
- Reducing the University’s annual electric costs.
- Providing long-term budget certainty for a portion of the University’s electric generation requirements.
- Continuing support of Penn State’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan: Our Commitment to Impact.
Because these solar facilities will be located close to a Penn State campus, the students and community will benefit from access and educational support provided by Lightsource BP, as well as benefiting from local air pollutant reduction, increased energy resiliency, and increased local economic development. The project is tied for the largest solar project in the state of Pennsylvania.
Part of a larger plan for meeting energy conservation goals
Since 2005, Penn State has reduced its GHG emissions by 32 percent. The first 17.5 percent reduction goal for 2012 was achieved by investment in energy conservation projects through the Energy Savings Program and increased system efficiency from a Combined Heat and Power installation of a combustion turbine and heat recovery system at the East Campus Steam Plant.