The Power Purchase Agreement Between University of Pennsylvania & Community Energy Moves the Institution Closer To A 100% Carbon Neutral Campus By 2042

The University of Pennsylvania recently signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Radnor-based Community Energy, to construct two new solar energy facilities in central PA, annually generating 220 megawatts of electricity. Penn will purchase all electricity from the sites, expected to be operational in 2023.

When operational, the PPA is expected to lower the University’s carbon emissions by 45% from its 2009 levels and would speed up the goal of the Paris Climate Accord seven years earlier than estimated.

This is not the first time Penn will be working with Community Energy, signing a ten-year renewable energy contract back in 2006.

Community Energy predicts that this will be the largest solar power project in PA. According to a press release,

“This voluntary power purchase agreement with the University of Pennsylvania is the gold standard for renewable energy procurement. This long-term commitment today is needed to make the development of this project a reality for commercial operation towards the end of 2022,”

Jay Carlis, Executive Vice President of Community Energy

Penn’s Goal To Go 100% Carbon Neutral

This decision moves the Philadelphia based University closer to its goal of achieving a 100% carbon-neutral campus by 2042.

Penn’s purchase of energy from the facilities will account for 75% of their total electricity on campus and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn’s further plans for their campus’ commitment to becoming eco-friendly are outlined in their Climate & Sustainability Action Plan 3.0.

array(5) {
  [0]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7987 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(3845)
    ["name"]=>
    string(14) "carbon neutral"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(14) "carbon-neutral"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(3853)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(1)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [1]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7988 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(3844)
    ["name"]=>
    string(16) "community energy"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(16) "community-energy"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(3852)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(4)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [2]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7989 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(3789)
    ["name"]=>
    string(24) "power purchase agreement"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(24) "power-purchase-agreement"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(3797)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(2)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [3]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7990 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(1065)
    ["name"]=>
    string(11) "solar power"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(11) "solar-power"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(1073)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(17)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [4]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7985 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2958)
    ["name"]=>
    string(26) "University of Pennsylvania"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(26) "university-of-pennsylvania"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2972)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(7)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
}

Jamie is a junior at Villanova University double majoring in English and Communications with a specialization in Media Production. She is currently an Editorial Intern at Green Philly. In her spare time she enjoys writing poetry and short stories, along with watching movies and exploring Philly. View all posts by Jamie McClelland