South Dakota Mines Activates First Campus Solar Array Through GenPro Energy Partnership

South Dakota Mines has energized its first-ever solar installation, marking a milestone in the university's commitment to renewable energy and innovation in STEM education. Located at Vanderboom Laboratory for Entrepreneurial Research building on the Mines campus in Rapid City, the new solar array features an 87.2 kW DC system comprised of 160 solar modules and state-of-the-art inverters. The system is designed to deliver significant energy savings to the campus while serving as a model for sustainability and providing real-time data for student courses and projects.

This project was made possible through the combined expertise of GenPro Energy Development and GenPro Energy Solutions. GenPro Energy Development initiated the project with a comprehensive feasibility study, ensuring a technically and financially sound foundation. GenPro Energy Solutions, recognized for excellence in solar engineering, procurement, and construction, delivered the installation to the highest standards. Jerilyn Roberts, Vice President of Operations at Mines, shared that South Dakota Mines has been exploring options for adding solar to campus for many years. The Vanderboom Laboratory for Entrepreneurial Research building was the perfect fit as the building had ample roof space for solar panels and provided the return on investment needed to allow state energy funds to be used as matching funds to complete the project.

The solar installation will allow the campus the ability to use real-time data from the solar panels in student courses and projects. Molly Brown, Managing Partner of GenPro Energy Development, commented that their role in the feasibility analysis ensured this project was grounded in technical and financial best practices. GenPro Energy Solutions then delivered a high-quality installation that brings this vision to life for South Dakota Mines and the greater Rapid City community. The solar installation is expected to reduce campus energy costs and carbon emissions, supporting the university's goal of environmental stewardship and hands-on student engagement.

This collaborative project demonstrates the power of local expertise and innovation in advancing clean energy solutions for South Dakota. The installation serves as both a practical energy solution and an educational tool, integrating directly into the university's STEM curriculum. By providing real-time operational data, students can analyze performance metrics, study energy production patterns, and engage with renewable technology in their coursework. The project's financial structure, utilizing state energy funds as matching funds, creates a replicable model for other educational institutions considering similar initiatives.

The implications extend beyond immediate energy savings to include workforce development in the growing renewable energy sector. As students interact with the operational system, they gain practical experience with solar technology that prepares them for careers in clean energy. The project also positions South Dakota Mines as a leader in sustainable campus operations within the region, potentially influencing other institutions to pursue similar renewable energy projects. The partnership between the university and GenPro Energy companies showcases how academic institutions can collaborate with local industry experts to achieve both educational and sustainability goals simultaneously.