Universities across the country are discovering innovative ways to utilize their underused properties to support renewable energy initiatives. One such opportunity is leasing their land for solar energy development. This resource highlights several successful examples of Universities leveraging their underutilized properties for solar energy development and provides practical insights for how other Universities across the country can participate in similar initiatives.
Through LandGate's marketplace, universities can advertise these properties for lease for solar energy development for free free to connect with solar developers interested in transforming underutilized spaces into productive and sustainable energy sources. If you're curious if your University owns land that could be suitable for a solar energy project, book a call with our team today:
Solar Farms on University Land
There are several examples of solar farms on university-owned property throughout the United States. Notable examples include the Cascadilla Solar Farm at Cornell University, the Iowa State Solar Farm, and the Catholic University of America's West Campus Solar Farm. By combining ecological stewardship with financial advantages, these solar projects set a powerful example of how Universities can turn their underutilized properties into renewable energy assets.
Cornell University's Cascadilla Solar Farm
In January 2019, Cornell University, located in Dryden, NY, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Solar Farms New York to establish the Cascadilla Community Solar Farm. Spanning 125 acres of underutilized agricultural land, the project involved installing approximately 79,000 solar panels. This ambitious initiative marked a pivotal step in advancing Cornell's sustainability efforts while fostering environmental stewardship across its community.
The Cascadilla Community Solar Farm boasts a significant environmental impact. Generating 18 megawatts of clean energy, it can power over 3,000 homes, cutting carbon emissions equivalent to removing more than 2,500 cars from the road annually. This transition to renewable energy aligns seamlessly with New York State's bold renewable energy goals and underscores Cornell's leadership in the shift toward a greener, more sustainable energy future.
Beyond providing clean energy, the Cascadilla Community Solar Farm integrates deeply with Cornell's academic mission. It serves as a "living laboratory," offering students and researchers hands-on opportunities to study solar energy production and environmental management. By bridging practical application with intellectual exploration, Cornell is fostering innovation and shaping the future of sustainable technologies.
Iowa State Solar Farm
Iowa State University (ISU) and Alliant Energy completed the construction of the 1.375-megawatt Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University in October 2023. The solar farm features 3,300 solar panels on 10 acres of university-owned property and is capable of generating energy to power 200 homes. As part of the Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables program, the solar farm will produce renewable energy credits, helping the university reduce a portion of its carbon footprint.
The Alliant Energy Solar Farm at ISU marks a significant milestone as Alliant Energy's first customer-hosted solar project completed in Iowa and the first to integrate agrivoltaics. Alliant Energy will oversee the operation and maintenance of the solar farm while collaborating with the university to explore agrivoltaics for research and educational initiatives at the site.
The Catholic University of America's West Campus Solar Farm
The Catholic University of America successfully completed its 7.5 megawatt solar installation on university-owned property in June 2024. In partnership with Standard Solar, a prominent commercial and community solar developer based in Rockville, MD, this initiative represents a major stride toward a sustainable future for both the university and the surrounding district. The solar array plays a critical role in advancing the district’s ambitious goals of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2032 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
Originally slated to become a parking lot, a portion of the underutilized 40-acre site will instead host 42 rows of solar panels, generating 10,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually for the university and local community. This transformation is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7,115 metric tons each year—equivalent to taking 1,547 cars off the road or eliminating the carbon emissions from nearly 800,630 gallons of gasoline. Beyond its environmental impact, the project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, saving district subscribers an estimated $3.5 million over 20 years.
Blueprint for Success in University Solar Projects
What insights can government property owners glean from these examples? The success of these universities in leveraging underutilized properties for solar energy development points to key considerations and best practices that can guide other large institutions through their own renewable energy journeys.
Site Selection and Land Utilization
One of the initial hurdles in any solar project is finding the right location. The above examples of successful solar farm development on university-owned property highlights the potential of repurposing underutilized government-owned land for renewable energy endeavors. The choice to convert non-productive property into solar farms not only minimizes the environmental impact but also optimizes land use, it converts this underutilized property into an asset.
Financial Planning and Sourcing
The financial aspects of a solar project are complex but manageable with careful planning. For example, Cornell's approach involved a mix of private investment and government incentives, creating a sustainable funding model. According to Rick Burgess, Vice President of Facilities at Cornell University, the project doubles the offsets (energy credits) from 10 to 20 percent. Cornell University is also generating revenue from solar lease payments paid annually by the solar developer. University property owners seeking to emulate this success will benefit from researching available grants, tax incentives, and power purchase agreements that can help offset initial costs and ensure long-term financial viability.
Community Engagement and Support
Solar projects of this magnitude do not operate in isolation. For example, Cornell University had already reduced its carbon footprint 36 percent since 2008 prior to the Cascadilla solar project by developing relationships with community partners and developers to promote renewable energy and create regional low-carbon strategies. From landowners to local residents, Cornell made concerted efforts to inform and involve stakeholders, addressing concerns and fostering a sense of shared benefit. This community partnership approach can be a model for government property owners to gain local buy-in and build broader support for renewable energy initiatives.
Additionally, not only does Cornell University benefit from revenue production from solar lease payments, the local community benefits from more affordable electricity. Under New York’s new community solar program, the farms sell their electricity to NYSEG; in turn, customers pay Solar Farms New York for electricity, saving at least 5 percent on their electric bill.
Shining a Light on Sustainability through Leasing University Property
Solar farms on University-owned property serve as an inspiration for action. They demonstrate that large-scale solar projects are not only possible, but also economically and environmentally advantageous. As we look towards a future increasingly defined by the need for sustainability, the lessons learned from projects at Cornell University, Iowa State University, and the Catholic University of America are invaluable. By following in their footsteps, other institutions can play their part in building a cleaner, greener world for generations to come.
Universities that are interested in contributing to clean energy generation can lease their underutilized land for solar energy, leading to revenue generation and clean energy production benefits. By listing on LandGate’s marketplace, education property owners can display their properties to a robust network of renewable energy developers actively using LandGate's platform to source new sites and plan upcoming projects. There are no fees, and there is no requirement to accept any offers that are received through the listing. To learn more, book a free consultation call with the Government team at LandGate today:
