UVU Powered by 92% Renewable Energy from New Solar Farm
Elektron Solar Farm Provides Renewable Power to UVU and Nearby Resorts
Utah Valley University will now be able to run its campus on 92% renewable energy thanks to a new solar farm in Tooele County that started up in May.
In 2021, construction on the Elektron solar farm, run by Rocky Mountain Power, began. Serving Salt Lake City, Summit County, Park City, Deer Valley Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort in addition to UVU. The Utah Trust Lands Administration is in charge of the 80 megawatt solar farm, which is situated on 550 acres to the west of the Great Salt Lake.
Reducing Carbon Footprint and Achieving Sustainability Goals
The new resource will assist UVU in lowering its carbon footprint and achieving its objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, according to a press release from the university.
Additionally, the solar farm will enable Park City Mountain to run at 100% renewable energy and Deer Valley Resort at 80%.
In a press release, UVU President Astrid Tuminez stated, “We are grateful for the partnership with Rocky Mountain Power that enables us to continue to make great strides towards our commitment to energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint in Utah Valley.” “We are honored to contribute in some small way to Utah’s cleaner air and a more sustainable, greener environment.”
Collaboration and Praise for the Project
Rocky Mountain Power President Dick Garlish praised the partners, including UVU, and said the project is one of the largest solar farms connected to the company during the solar farm’s grand opening.
At the press conference, he stated, “We are also proud to be a part of the collaboration that went on to make this happen.” “We are really excited about that because it represents a lot of diverse interests and motivations coming together to do something that benefits communities, utilities, and the state.”
According to a UVU press release, student Kaleb Rodriguez described the project as an illustration of “actions speaking louder than words.” Knowing that we were the only academic institution involved in this project made me feel proud. “One of the many reasons I love UVU is that its goals have continued to move beyond discussion and into action,” the student remarked.
In 2018, UVU made a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050 after focusing on sustainability.
