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Two fresh solar arrays on North Campus have begun producing energy, signifying the initial installations finalized under the University of Michigan’s Maize Rays initiative.

The panels are integral to a multiyear strategy aimed at boosting on-campus solar capacity, fortifying energy resilience, and minimizing the university’s carbon footprint.

“These initial solar installations clearly demonstrate our commitment to carbon neutrality in practice,” stated Geoff Chatas, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “This project is a concrete step that directly advances our sustainability objectives, and we’re eager to see this initiative expand further.”

Situated at the North Campus Facilities Services Building, the installations comprise both a rooftop array and a solar carport. Collectively, they generate almost 600 kilowatts of renewable energy; sufficient to power approximately 100 typical Michigan households. These efforts mark the initial phase in the university’s ambition to add a total of 25 megawatts of solar capacity across all campuses, equating to powering around 3,000 homes each year. This encompasses 20 megawatts on the Ann Arbor campus and an additional 5 megawatts across UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint.

The Maize Rays initiative directly bolsters the university’s overarching carbon neutrality ambitions, including actions to eradicate Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions associated with procured electricity. More installations, both on and off campus, are scheduled over the coming years, with the university retaining ownership and operation of campus systems, while Facilities & Operations will handle maintenance and oversight.

“The launch of our initial two solar arrays signifies a visible enhancement of our energy resilience and climate action progress,” expressed Shana Weber, associate vice president for campus sustainability. “This initiative further highlights the University of Michigan’s robust commitment to community-serving impacts.”

This project transcends being just an advancement in clean energy; it also presents a chance to transform the U-M campus into a vibrant learning laboratory. The campus arrays will provide various opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage through access to real-time data and other research endeavors.

The initiative is a partnership among the Office of Campus Sustainability, Facilities & Operations, Radial Power, and student organizations like Students for Clean Energy. In addition to providing clean electricity for the campus, future phases of Maize Rays will also incorporate solar installations designed to benefit the community in collaboration with the city of Ann Arbor, extending advantages beyond the campus itself.

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