As part of Drake’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050, we are constantly investigating opportunities to increase our renewable energy generation. The Meredith Hall revitalization was included in this goal as the building hosts numerous sustainable features, the newest addition being a 115 kW solar array.

The Meredith array started generating electricity this past December. You can track the in time generation through this public dashboard.

Drake has a history with solar power, as the Meredith array is the third solar installation on Drake’s campus. In 2023, Drake generated 236.6 MWh between the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center and Tennis Center arrays. That is 168 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent avoided, which is equivalent to the following:

• The annual energy use of 21 homes
• The annual carbon sequestered by 200 acres of U.S. forests
• 188,186 pounds of coal burned
• 430,676 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered vehicle

Drake’s first solar project was the 128 kW Tennis Center array that started generating electricity in 2019. This allows the building to function as Net-Zero as we generate as much electricity as it uses. View the Tennis Center solar dashboard here.

The second installation was the 48.7 kW Harkin Center array, added in 2021. This installation helped the building achieve a Three Green Globes rating, which is the highest rated project in the state of Iowa and the first in Iowa to receive this rating. View the Harkin solar dashboard here.

As we move forward, we will continue to identify and take advantage of opportunities to further increase our renewable energy generation. We anticipate the Morehouse Revitalization to be the next candidate for a solar project, with more to come. 

The Meredith Hall solar project and sustainability features were made possible through gifts from Greg Johansen and John Lorentzen.

— Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator