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 the Vanderboom Laboratory for Entrepreneurial Research building on campus, 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.
Jerilyn Roberts, Vice President of Operations at Mines, explained that the Vanderboom Laboratory building was selected due to its ample roof space for solar panels and the return on investment needed to allow state energy funds to be used as matching funds. "The solar installation will allow the campus the ability to use real-time data from the solar panels in student courses and projects," Roberts said.
Molly Brown, Managing Partner of GenPro Energy Development, noted that their feasibility analysis ensured the project was grounded in technical and financial best practices before GenPro Energy Solutions delivered the high-quality installation. 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. For business and technology leaders, the installation represents a practical model for integrating renewable energy infrastructure with educational objectives, creating immediate operational savings while developing future talent in clean energy technologies. The project's emphasis on real-time data integration provides STEM students with hands-on experience in monitoring and analyzing renewable energy systems, potentially accelerating workforce development in the growing clean energy sector.
