University of Pittsburgh to buy power from 20-MW solar park

The University of Pittsburgh this week announced a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 20-MW solar array to be located near the institution in Pennsylvania.

Under the 20-year contract, the university will buy all of the power generated by the Gaucho Solar project, which will be located on the border of Allegheny and Beaver counties. The purchased electricity will cover about 13% of the annual needs of the university's campus.

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Plans for the solar project are currently under review by local authorities. If approved, the solar array is expected to start generating power in the middle of 2022.

The deal is in line with the university's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2037. As an interim target, the institution is looking to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half from a 2008 baseline and source 50% of its power from renewable sources by 2030. In addition to a previously announced plan to buy electricity from a hydropower plant to be built on the Allegheny River, the new PPA will bring the university's renewables share to at least 38% by 2023.

The university also plans to use the solar system as a living laboratory for students to learn and research. The university already has small on-site solar facilities for student research.

The new solar project will also include pollinator-friendly landscaping as part of an agreement with local company Lendlease.