The UC System Goes Solar!

University of California, Powered by the Sun

The University of California has a bright future, one that will be powered by the sun. Through two new agreements, UC has committed to the largest purchase of solar energy by any university in the country. The deals, taking place with Frontier Renewables, will supply the UC's with 80 megawatts of solar capacity- enough to power about 27,000 homes- that will keep an estimated 88,000 metric tons of carbon from being emitted in the atmosphere, annually.

This incredible solar purchase is taking the UC system one step closer to Carbon Neutrality, a goal set by UC president Janet Napolitano. Frontier Renewables will supply the UC's solar power from two large arrays constructed in Fresno Country that are expected to come online at the end of 2016. No other university or college system comes close to the UC system in terms of commitment to solar energy. "As a national leader in sustainability, the University of California is taking on bold, new goals and transforming our approach to procuring and using energy in more sustainable ways," Napolitano said.

At her first governing board meeting in November 2013, Napolitano pledged that UC would become carbon neutral by 2025, something no other university system has been able to achieve. In June, she formed the Global Climate Leadership Council to help UC achieve that ambitious goal. But because the energy from the sun has a billion year time horizon, it is a natural place to look for alternative energy, and a great first place for the UC's to begin their journey to carbon neutrality.

We are so proud and commend our university system for taking this incredible project on. Interested in learning more about the solar UC system? For more information, please click here.