Lehigh and eight other colleges and universities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania are joining forces to bring an innovative, large-scale solar facility online in western Kentucky. By collaborating on this Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Lehigh, Davidson College, Dickinson College, Elon University, Haverford College, Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College and Wake Forest University are accessing the benefits of renewable energy through a deal typically only feasible for large customers.
“Lehigh is thrilled to join our partner institutions in this collaborative effort,” said Audrey McSain, Lehigh’s sustainability director. “Not only does the project help each of us reach our respective sustainability goals, but it also provides real-world experiential learning opportunities and other educational benefits to our students.”
Guided by Coho, an ERM Group Company, the institutions are working with NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun, and a world leader in battery energy storage. The consortium is supporting the Sebree Solar II project through a PPA that entails purchasing energy for 20 years. The Sebree Solar II project is set to begin construction in early 2025 and commence commercial operation by the end of 2026. The solar site is projected to provide enough energy to annually power more than 24,000 homes when complete.
The solar facility will be located near the town of Robards, Kentucky, near the Ohio River. The Sebree Solar II project will offer considerable environmental benefits as the project will generate up to 150 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Over its 30-year lifespan, the solar site will contribute approximately $12 million in additional tax revenue to Henderson County which can be used for roads, schools and other public services.
While electricity generated by the Sebree Solar II project cannot be transmitted directly to the consortium campuses because of distance, the benefits of investing in new additional renewable energy will still be transferred to the schools. Lehigh University will be paying for an amount of energy equal to 92% of the electricity used by its campus. In exchange, Lehigh University will receive renewable energy credits, which can be used to account for greenhouse gas emissions related to purchased electricity.
The Sebree Solar II project is considered one of the emissions reduction strategies supporting Lehigh’s Climate Action Strategy, which outlines and establishes a 'Pathway to Zero' emissions to positively impact Lehigh's bottom line and achieve net carbon neutrality by 2040. This partnership replaces a former agreement between Lehigh, Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College and Dickinson College, and expands on the work initiated in 2020.
“We are pleased to work with Lehigh University and the other institutions to help them achieve their sustainability goals,” said Anthony Pedroni, vice president, renewable development and M&A NextEra Energy Resources. “This solar energy project will generate homegrown energy and provide millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to Henderson County over the life of the project.”
The institutions in the cohort will also receive access to data from the Sebree Solar II project for classroom use, as well as campus speaking engagements, site visits and student internships.
