FRAMINGHAM (4/4/25) – The Framingham State University community celebrated a large new solar canopy on campus over the Salem End Parking Lot made possible through a unique public-private partnership, during a special ribbon-cutting event on April 4, 2025.

The University partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Leading by Example Program and the PowerOptions Consortium to have solar panels installed on campus at no cost to FSU. Solect Energy installed, financed, and will maintain and operate the solar panels, while FSU has entered into a 20-25 year power purchase agreement with the company at a fixed discounted price for the term.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded FSU a grant of $436,000 to support the solar canopy project, which included charging for six electric vehicles and pre-wiring for an additional 10 parking spaces for future EV charging. FSU is estimated to save $300,000 in electricity costs from its canopy.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our other partners for supporting this initiative,” said FSU President Nancy S. Niemi. “At FSU, sustainability is not just a talking point—it is a core value. Our students, faculty, and staff have been vocal and passionate about the need to take real, measurable action to address climate change. As such, these solar canopies are more than an energy solution—they are a statement: A statement that we recognize the urgency of climate change and that institutions like ours must lead by example in the transition to a more sustainable world.”

The new solar parking canopy system has a capacity of 720 kW and will generate over 800,000 kWh annually. Solect recently installed a rooftop solar system at Larned Hall, and when combined with earlier installtations, the campus will total over 1MW of installed solar capacity. The combined clean energy kWh will offset roughly 9% of total electric use, and yield the environmental equivalent of reducing CO2 by over 12,000 tons. That’s like taking 172 gasoline powered cars off the road each year.

Framingham State officials were joined by Elizabeth Mahoney, Commissioner of DOER, and City of Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. State Reps. Priscilla Sousa and Jack Lewis presented the University with a citation congratulating FSU on the completion of the new project. 

“Congratulations to Framingham State University and the DOER’s Leading By Example teams for coming together so planfully to execute this new solar parking canopy. Solect Services team will monitor and maintain the projects to assure maximum output. We’re proud to be a partner with Massachusetts state agencies in delivering new solar energy infrastructure,” said Matt Shortsleeve, Senior Vice President, Solect Energy.

"Framingham State University continues to demonstrate leadership in sustainability by leveraging PowerOptions’ Solar & Storage Program to expand its renewable energy portfolio. Because PowerOptions had already conducted a competitive procurement, FSU was able to move forward seamlessly with Solect Energy, saving time and resources while securing long-term energy cost savings. This solar canopy, along with the University's EV charging stations and broader energy initiatives, reflects a comprehensive commitment to both financial and environmental stewardship," said Walter Gray, Program Director, Solar and EV Charging, PowerOptions.

Framingham State University has been recognized as a Green College by the Princeton Review since 2010. The University now has four solar arrays on campus.