Maize Rays Solar Power Initiatives
“Maize Rays” is a solar energy initiative at the University of Michigan that directly supports eliminating carbon emissions from campus-purchased electricity. It currently represents what will be the largest higher education solar power installation in North America. Go Blue!
Maize Rays features a 25-megawatt on-campus solar installation, equivalent to the power needs of over 3,000 average homes. This initiative will soon incorporate additional projects to enhance solar capacity across all University of Michigan campuses and at off-site locations that boost Michigan-based renewables.
Managed by Facilities & Operations and supported by the Office of the Associate Vice President for Campus Sustainability, this initiative is a key strategy in U-M’s carbon neutrality commitment. These installations are essential to U-M’s Campus Plan 2050, focusing on long-term sustainability and climate action goals. Maize Rays initiatives are anticipated to result in net zero greenhouse gas emissions from university-wide purchased electricity in 2027.
On-Campus Installation Overview
- Capacity: 25 megawatts, powering the equivalent of 3,000 homes annually.
- Timeline: Phased rollout over three years starting in early 2025.
- First phase: Up to 10 megawatts in Ann Arbor by late 2025.
- Subsequent phases: Installations at UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint.
- Partner: Radial Power, an energy and sustainability firm, will design and build the installations.
Installation locations
By the end of 2025, Ann Arbor is expected to have more than 10 megawatts of on-campus solar power online, with future expansions planned for the Dearborn and Flint campuses.
Why solar power?
Solar power harnesses sunlight using photovoltaic panels, creating clean electricity that reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Benefits include:
- Lower costs: Reduced operational expenses over time.
- Environmental impact: Decreased greenhouse gas emissions.
- Energy resilience: Enhanced reliability
Engagement
We invite all members of the U-M community to join us in broadly sharing the news of these exciting energy initiatives. To discover ways to participate, stay updated on upcoming events, or share your feedback, please contact the Office of the Associate Vice President for Campus Sustainability. For answers to common questions, visit our FAQ page.
Together, we can build a brighter and more sustainable future for our campuses.
Tracking progress
U-M will launch interactive data dashboards to provide updates on energy generation and key metrics. These tools will encourage the community and public to observe U-M’s transition to renewable energy.
