Renewable Energy at Georgia Tech

Harnessing Renewable Energy at Georgia Tech

By Nicole Nuñez, Office of Sustainability Student Assistant, EnvE ’25

Georgia Tech is working to increase clean energy supply across campus. Since the mid-1990s, on-site solar has played a role in powering campus operations.  Here’s a look at the current state of campus renewable energy at Georgia Tech and where we’re headed.   

On-Campus Renewable Energy: Sites and Impact

In 2024, Georgia Tech surpassed 1 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy capacity on campus. Solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays have been installed across several buildings, contributing to our renewable energy generation. In Fiscal Year 2023, these systems produced 895,663 kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to powering over 80 average U.S. homes for a year. 

Sites and Their Solar Energy Capacities

  • Carbon Neutral Energy Solutions Building – 388 kilowatts (kW)
  • Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons – 120 kW
  • Engineered Biosystems Building – 40 kW
  • Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design – 330 kW
  • Dalney Street Office Building – 81 kW
  • John Lewis Student Center – 80 kW
  • Wreck Garage – 12 kW

    Percentage of Solar Energy Generated by Sites on Campus

    On-Site Solar Energy Produced (kWh) and Dollars Saved As a Result

    Slide 1: Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons (Source: Paul Warchol), Slide 2: Kendeda Building, Slide 3: Wreck Garage (Source: Paul Warchol)

    Off-Campus Renewable Energy

    While we’ve made progress with on-site renewable energy, most of the energy used at Georgia Tech comes from Georgia Power’s electricity grid. Approximately 59% of campus’ energy is electricity purchased from Georgia Power, where approximately 7% of the energy mix in 2023 came from renewable sources such as solar and wind, as well as low-emission sources including nuclear (23%) and hydropower (2%).  

    With the publication of Georgia Tech’s Climate Action Plan in 2024, the Institute is investigating pathways for investing in off-campus renewable energy through the following strategies: 

    1. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): By purchasing RECs, we can support renewable energy projects supplying clean energy to the grid. 
    2. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) & Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs): These agreements allow us to purchase clean energy from on or off-campus sources. 
    3. Energy Storage and Resilience Hubs: As part of our long-term sustainability vision, we’re exploring energy storage solutions and planning for the implementation of Resilience Hubs – self-sustaining facilities that will serve the campus and community in times of power outages or other emergencies. 

      Procuring Clean Energy through RECs, PPAs, and VPPAs

      Looking Forward: A Carbon-Neutral Future

      Projections from the Climate Action Plan show that if Georgia Tech installs solar in all currently feasible locations, we can reach approximately 7 MW of solar capacity. This figure is expected to fluctuate as our campus grows and changes and as new technologies become more economically feasible.  

      On-site solar alone cannot meet our energy needs; a combined strategy approach is needed for Georgia Tech to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. 

      Emissions Reductions From Each Focus Area in the Year 2050