Notre Dame going greener
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The University of Notre Dame has announced plans to install a 46,000-square-foot solar array on the west side of campus, as part of ongoing efforts to diversify the school’s energy supply. The solar project will be located along a highly-traveled highway on what is now a vacant field.
The university says the project will provide about 1% of the electricity for campus while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Notre Dame says it currently gets about 20% of its electricity from renewable sources.
This solar project is just the latest effort to reduce the university’s carbon footprint.
In recent years, Notre Dame has worked with the city to install a new, hydropower dam on the St. Joseph River in downtown South Bend. It also partnered with Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power to build a solar farm in the northeast part of St. Joseph County.
“We further hope that this project provides a visible reminder to all that pass by of both the University’s and the community’s commitment to combating climate change,” said Paul Kempf, assistant vice president for utilities and maintenance at Notre Dame.
The project will include solar panels, surrounded by a six-foot security fence, and rejuvenated space of native and pollinator-friendly plants.
Notre Dame says the panels, which will sit adjacent to State Highway 933, will produce minimal glare because of anti-reflective coating.