Climate Leadership
Foundational Commitment: Goal 4 Impact 2030: Santa Clara University's Strategic Plan
Expanding campus renewable energy is one of the many ways we supports the bold university's commitment. Our Sustainability Strategic Action Plan, Leading Through Laudato Si' includes the operational strategy to decarbonize campus energy use by 50% by 2030. We have already completed - and surpassed! - our first Energy: Decarbonize substrategy to add 1.4MW of photovoltaics to campus by 2024.
We continue to expand the capacity to generate our own renewable energy. Read more about how SCU continues to lead the way in campus renewable energy.
Photovoltaics
The Santa Clara University campus is currently home to 2.990 million kWh of photovoltaics.
Bird Solar Project
Completed in Spring 2025, the Bird Solar Initiative resulted in the installation of photovoltaic systems across three campus sites, generating an additional estimated 1.4 megawatts of renewable energy annually. This project not only exceeds SCU’s 2024 goal to add 1.4 megawatts of solar power, but it also doubles the University's existing on-site solar capacity. SCU now boasts a projected annual output of 2.990 million kWh, offsetting 9.2% of the campus's energy use.
Inspired by the generous investment from Jeff and Tina Bird, Michael Krautkramer and Dorian Daly ’86, supported this initiative with a gift to advance SCU’s sustainability strategy by reinvesting annual utility savings into new energy efficiency projects—further reducing future energy use and costs while reflecting the Birds’ strong interest in innovation. This partnership demonstrates how mission-aligned philanthropy can accelerate SCU’s climate action goals.
Earlier Photovoltaics Advancements on Campus
2012: 25 kilowatt photovoltaic system installed on the St. Clare Residence Hall roof.
2010: 1 megawatt solar array installed on the roofs of Leavey Center and Pat Malley Fitness & Recreation Center, as well as a solar panel sunshade on the third level of the main parking structure.
2010: 7 kilowatt photovoltaic system installed on the Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center roof.
2009: The Refract House, SCU's entry to the Solar Decathlon, has 10.8 kilowatts of photovoltaics on its rooftop.
2007: SCU's 2007 Solar Decathlon, entry, the Ripple House, features 7.3 kilowatts of rooftop photovoltaics. In 2012 the house was relocated to Forge Garden to serve as the garden's kitchen, office, and volunteer hub.
2007: 50 kilowatt photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the Support Services Building, provides approximately 89,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in the average year at SCU.
