Haverford College 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), Davidson College, Dickinson College, Elon University, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College and Wake Forest University are accessing the benefits of renewable energy through a deal typically only feasible for large customers.

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.

“Haverford is proud to be a part of this innovative project, which embodies our continuous pursuit of ethical, sustainable practices,” says Vice President and Chief of Staff Jesse Lytle, who is also Haverford’s chief sustainability officer. “This long-term investment in clean energy for our campus demonstrates our commitment to climate justice and intergenerational equity among the College’s strategic imperatives."

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. Haverford will be paying for an amount of energy equal to approximately three quarters of the electricity used by its campus. In exchange, Haverford will receive renewable energy credits, which can be used to account for greenhouse gas emissions related to purchased electricity.

This project reflects Haverford’s enduring commitment to sustainability and pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2033, a core component of Better Learning, Broader Impact—Haverford 2030, the College’s ambitious strategic plan. The College has made considerable strides in achieving its goals, reducing its overall carbon footprint by more than half since 2010, installing numerous green roofs and EV charging stations, and nurturing biodiversity through numerous rain and pollinator gardens across its arboretum campus. Those efforts, and the College’s commitment, are deeply tied to its Quaker foundations and the pursuit of equality, ethical stewardship, and social responsibility.

“We are pleased to work with Haverford College 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.