USU Announces Additions to Solar Energy Capacity, Advancing Sustainability, Energy Stability

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has partnered with Castle Gate Engineering to significantly expand its on-campus solar energy production.

This initiative, which will add more than 1 megawatt DC of solar generation across four Cache Valley locations, marks a major step forward in the university’s commitment to sustainability, energy cost stability and long-term environmental stewardship.

The new installations include:

• Nearly 500 kilowatts on the roof of the Stan Laub Indoor Practice Facility.
• More than 150 kilowatts added to the existing 180-kilowatt system on the Gateway Parking Structure.
• More than 200 kilowatts on the roof of the Sam Skaggs Family Equine Center at USU's South Farm in Wellsville.
• Nearly 200 kilowatts on the roof of the Caine Dairy milking facility in Wellsville.

In total, the university is installing an additional 1,058 kilowatts of solar capacity. These systems are expected to produce over 1.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

The energy generated from this expansion is equivalent to:

• Powering roughly 150 average Utah homes for a year
• Offsetting the carbon emissions from burning over 1.2 million pounds of coal
• Avoiding more than 1,200 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually — the same as removing over 260 passenger vehicles from the road

“This project isn't just about going green,” said Zachary Cook, utilities energy manager for USU Facilities. “It’s also a strategic investment in long-term financial stability.”

The expanded solar capacity will help USU:

• Hedge against utility price volatility by locking in a portion of its energy costs.
• Reduce reliance on power generated from fossil fuels like natural gas and coal.
• Strengthen the university’s resilience to market shifts and regulatory changes in the energy sector.

By producing its own clean electricity, the university will save substantially on utility bills over the life of the systems, which are expected to operate for 25-30 years or more.

In addition to these four installations, USU has three more solar projects currently in design or under construction that will contribute an additional 950 kilowatts of capacity. These efforts will further expand the university’s renewable energy footprint and reinforce its role as a leader in sustainable campus infrastructure.

For more information about USU’s energy management and sustainability efforts, visit usu.edu/facilities/services/energy-management and usu.edu/sustainability.