GHG Emissions, Commercial, Solar  -  November 22, 2024

Brown University Adds Solar Arrays

Brown University will start receiving clean energy with the completion of the Dry Bridge Solar facility.

The solar project is one of the largest of its kind in Rhode Island, representing a major advancement in renewable energy adoption in the state and is a significant step toward Brown University’s goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. 

With a capacity of approximately 40 megawatts (MW), the Dry Bridge Solar facility is located on a rehabilitated brownfield site in North Kingstown, previously used for gravel and sand extraction. The project comprises four co-located solar installations, each with a 10-MW AC capacity, designed to maximize efficiency while minimizing land use impacts. The project was completed by MN8 Energy (MN8).

The long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) secured by Brown University provide predictable energy costs and valuable net metering credits, safeguarding against market volatility that can account for a significant portion of a university’s operational expenses. This financial stability allows Brown to allocate resources more effectively across its diverse programs.

“Dry Bridge is a transformative milestone for clean energy in the region and signals a significant step toward Brown’s net-zero goals,” Brown President Christina H. Paxson said in a statement. “The project underscores the need to ensure the University does all it can — through our physical plant and our leading-edge environmental research and scholarship — to contribute to global efforts to seek climate solutions and combat the threats posed by climate change.”

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