Skip to main content
Penn Today

Penn celebrates operation and benefits of largest solar power project in Pennsylvania

Four people cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

Solar production has begun at the Great Cove I and II facilities in central Pennsylvania, the equivalent of powering 70% of the electricity demand from Penn’s academic campus and health system in the Philadelphia area.
 

Penn Today

Penn celebrates operation and benefits of largest solar power project in Pennsylvania

Solar production has begun at the Great Cove I and II facilities in central Pennsylvania, the equivalent of powering 70% of the electricity demand from Penn’s academic campus and health system in the Philadelphia area.
 

Four people cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

In 1,600 acres in Fulton and Franklin counties in central Pennsylvania sit two solar arrays. Comprising more than 485,000 panels, these make up the largest solar project in the Commonwealth, with a capacity of 220 megawatts. As of December, the Great Cove I and II facilities are operational, putting the University of Pennsylvania one massive step closer toward its goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2042.

Penn will purchase all electricity produced at the facilities, the equivalent of 70% of the demand of its campus and University of Pennsylvania Health System facilities in the Philadelphia area. This stems from a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) the University signed in February of 2020 with Community Energy, since acquired by Virginia-based global energy company The AES Corporation. Construction on the project began in April of 2022. Read more on Penn Today

Date: Mar 19, 2024
Campus Initiative:
Energy & Climate