Muhlenberg College and Partners Invest in Large-Scale Renewable Energy Project
Muhlenberg’s share of the innovative solar facility will offset 100 percent of the electricity usage on campus.By: Kristine Yahna Todaro Monday, April 22, 2024 08:09 AM
Cool Springs Solar Energy Center, a solar array similar to the Sebree Solar II project which is set to begin construction in early 2025. Photo: NextEra Energy ResourcesMuhlenberg College and eight other colleges and universities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania are joining forces to bring a cutting-edge, large-scale solar facility online in western Kentucky. By collaborating on this Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Davidson College, Dickinson College, Elon University, Haverford College, Muhlenberg College, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Swarthmore College and Wake Forest University are accessing the benefits of renewable energy through a deal typically only feasible for large customers.
“Investing in new renewable energy projects drives innovation and contributes to a cleaner, brighter future,” says President Kathleen Harring. “By signing this agreement, we are demonstrating our commitment to sustainability through community partnerships and long-term reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.”
The College’s share in the project will offset 100 percent of its electricity usage, effectively reducing its greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation to zero.
“Investing in new renewable energy projects drives innovation and contributes to a cleaner, brighter future,” says President Kathleen Harring.
Guided by Coho, an ERM Group Company, the institutions are working with NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun, and a world leader in battery energy storage. The consortium is supporting the Sebree Solar II project through a PPA that entails purchasing energy for 20 years. The Sebree Solar II project is set to begin construction in early 2025 and commence commercial operation by the end of 2026.
The collaboration also brings opportunities for students to engage in first-hand experiential learning with NextEra Energy Resources. Muhlenberg will receive access to data from the Sebree Solar II project for classroom use as well as campus speaking engagements, site visits and student internships.
The solar facility will be located near the town of Robards, Kentucky, near the Ohio River. The Sebree Solar II project will offer considerable environmental benefits as the project will generate up to 150 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Over its 30-year lifespan, the solar site will contribute approximately $12 million in additional tax revenue to Henderson County which can be used for roads, schools and other public services. The solar site is projected to provide enough energy to annually power more than 24,000 homes when complete.
While electricity generated by the Sebree Solar II project cannot be transmitted directly to the consortium campuses because of distance, the benefits of investing in new additional renewable energy will still be transferred to the schools. Muhlenberg College will be paying for an amount of energy equal to 100 percent of the electricity used by its campus. In exchange, the College will receive renewable energy credits, which can be used to account for greenhouse gas emissions related to purchased electricity.
“We are pleased to work with Muhlenberg College and the other institutions to help them achieve their sustainability goals,” said Anthony Pedroni, vice president, renewable development and M&A NextEra Energy Resources. “This solar energy project will generate homegrown energy and provide millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to Henderson County over the life of the project.”
Muhlenberg’s campus-wide sustainability efforts began over two decades ago and today bring together students, faculty and staff with a diversity of perspectives and areas of expertise to seek creative solutions for campus sustainability. The College’s newest academic building Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation has been named the first building in the world to achieve Core Living Building Certification — an extraordinary achievement in sustainable design.
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg is a highly selective, private liberal arts college offering baccalaureate and graduate programs. With an enrollment of nearly 2,000 students, Muhlenberg College is dedicated to shaping creative, compassionate, collaborative leaders through rigorous academic programs in the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences; selected preprofessional programs, including accounting, business, education and public health; and progressive workforce-focused post-baccalaureate certificates and master’s degrees. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, approximately 90 miles west of New York City, Muhlenberg is a member of the Centennial Conference, competing in 23 varsity sports. Muhlenberg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Coho, an ERM Group Company, is a global climate advisor dedicated to helping clients navigate complexity and take ambitious steps on their climate journey. It provides deep market insight, analytical problem-solving, and change management expertise so that clients can switch to renewable energy and make other large-scale climate and water resiliency investments with confidence and internal alignment.
