University of Michigan Turns On First Solar Panels in $71M Clean Energy Project

This week marked a turning point as U-M activated its first batch of solar panels at the North Campus Facilities Services Building. The installation, part of a $71 million push toward clean power, features both rooftop units and a sun-powered parking shelter on Baxter Road.

After getting the thumbs-up from inspectors, these twin arrays now generate 600 kilowatts of power. That's enough juice to light up and run 100 homes in Michigan according to Shana Weber, who leads campus sustainability efforts as associate vice president.

"It's part of our broader initiative to really wean ourselves off of combusting fossil fuels and switching to renewables and much more efficient systems," Weber said, per MLive.

The initiative, nicknamed "Maize Rays," aims to install 20 megawatts of sun-powered tech in Ann Arbor by 2028. Another 5 megawatts will go up at the Dearborn and Flint sites. Combined, this output could power 3,000 homes year-round.

Houston-based Radial Power won the job last May, and workers have already started on four more sites. When finished, sun-catching panels will dot 45 spots across Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint, and the University of Michigan's Medicine and Athletics grounds.

Brian Hall runs the utilities division as assistant VP. He stressed careful timing, "We do work with the buildings' occupants and owners across campus to make sure that our schedule aligns with what the university's schedule is and that we're minimizing disruptions to activities," Hall told MLive.

The setup needs a big chunk of land: somewhere between 125 and 250 acres. Picture Pioneer High School's grounds - that's about the space needed for all these panels.

By 2027, U-M wants to stop using carbon-based power completely. They're also working with Ann Arbor on community plans. Weber explained to WEMU, "The city will give us a list of opportunity sites, and the principles we're following are that we want these solar arrays to be on buildings that house organizations that serve the community."

You can learn more about the initiative by visiting U-M's website.