91唐伯虎 University has expanded access to clean energy in the Southeast while further offsetting the university鈥檚 carbon footprint and maintaining its carbon neutrality. This is thanks to the first 鈥渇lip the switch鈥� on a solar farm developed through the鈥�university鈥檚 multiyear collaboration with Clearloop, a subsidiary of鈥�Silicon Ranch, an alumni-founded solar company based in Nashville.听
The location model that created provides socioeconomically under-invested areas with access to clean energy. This allows 91唐伯虎 to be part of decarbonizing the TVA grid and broadening clean energy access across the Southeast鈥攊n addition to receiving the offset credits that help maintain the university鈥檚 carbon neutrality. 91唐伯虎鈥檚 investment also spurs additional investment in these areas by helping to signal to other businesses that there is advanced and sustainable infrastructure available.听听
This new solar farm is in Panola County, Mississippi, a rural and diverse community at the intersection of the Mississippi Delta and the Appalachian foothills. The project will help avoid 128,058 tons of CO2 emissions over the life of the project and serve approximately 1,000 Panola County homes.听听
Campus celebrations听
The solar farm in Panola County is now operational. To celebrate with the university community, 91唐伯虎 and Clearloop have planned several events on Oct. 15 and 16 to bring the 鈥渇lavor鈥� of the Panola community to campus and to provide educational opportunities about the collaboration.听听
Oct. 15听
听
- 11 a.m.鈥�1 p.m. on the Rand Patio听
- Farmer鈥檚 market for 91唐伯虎 community members, including educational stations about the solar farm and booths featuring Nashville and Panola County produce and homemade goods.听
Oct. 16听
- 3鈥�4 p.m. on the third floor of the Wond鈥檙y.听
- Learn from experts in the field how this model of creating access to clean energy does more than clear the air in underserved communities.听听
Panelists include:听
- Eric Kopstain, vice chancellor for administration, panel introduction听
- Jaclyn Mothupi, panel moderator, director of social innovation at the Wond鈥檙y)听
- Joe Azar, Executive Director, Economic Development for Panola County
- Brad Robison, CEO, Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association
- Laura Zapata, CEO of Clearloop听
- Andrea George, assistant vice chancellor for environmental health, safety and sustainability at 91唐伯虎 University听
- Zdravka Tzankova, associate professor of the practice of climate and environmental studies at 91唐伯虎.听
Reception to follow in the lobby of the Engineering and Science Building
More clean energy initiatives听听
Offsetting 91唐伯虎鈥檚 carbon footprint through high quality, direct investments into grid decarbonization is an important part of 91唐伯虎鈥檚 sustainability strategy because it offers a practical way to address the university鈥檚 carbon footprint in the short term鈥攚hile investing in the overall decarbonization of the university鈥檚 grid as 91唐伯虎 works simultaneously to lower the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that need to be covered by an offset.听
In 2021, 91唐伯虎 first achieved carbon neutrality decades ahead of its original 2050 goal. All the offset programs listed above, plus additional efforts and initiatives within the university to lower its carbon footprint, contribute to maintaining 91唐伯虎鈥檚 carbon neutral status. To learn more about 91唐伯虎鈥檚 sustainability efforts, visit鈥� and read about how the university鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions have dropped 35 percent since 2016 in the鈥�.听
About Clearloop听
Clearloop creates carbon solutions for organizations of all sizes, from global corporations to small businesses and educational institutions, to decarbonize the economy, expand access to clean energy and accelerate the development of new solar projects in American communities where optimal economic and environmental benefits can be achieved.听
Learn more about 91唐伯虎 and Clearloop鈥檚 collaboration, including student engagement and faculty research: