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Over 400 colleges and universities have signed carbon reduction pledges through Second Nature. Nonetheless, a review of their greenhouse gas inventories shows that many universities continue to show limited or no progress in terms of renewable energy deployment and generation. One study from 2019 shows that it is now cheaper to build new renewable energy projects than it is to continue operating existing coal-fired power plants (for 74% of existing fleet). Meanwhile, another study shows that universities rarely achieve a positive economic net benefit when deploying solar on their campuses, despite the cost declines in solar and rising utility prices. This same study finds that these same projects accrue a positive social and environmental net benefit for the surrounding community that outweighs current economic subsidies, implying that increased subsidies for college solar deployment would, more often than not, pass cost-benefit analysis. This present study builds on the previous two studies and explores the question of whether state-level financial incentives have a meaningful impact on the deployment of renewable energy on college campuses. The thesis guiding this research is that universities in states with certain state-level financial incentives will be more successful in deploying renewable energy and in meeting their clean energy goals. The financial incentives being studied are limited to grants, tariffs, net metering (at retail rates), and solar renewable energy credits. This research paper shows that the presence of these financial incentives is positively correlated with renewable energy deployment across colleges, providing a starting map for policy-makers interested in supporting universities' renewable energy deployment in their states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher education institutions are among the many public and private sector entities that have committed to long-term sustainability goals in response to the threat of climate change. A key challenge for these institutions is establishing a commitment to make targeted investments in renewable energy technologies in support of emissions reduction goals. Such strategies require a vision to simultaneously coordinate strategic investments in renewable energy technologies with tactical operational decisions to achieve the desired benefits. In this paper, we formulate and solve a least-cost renewable energy capacity investment planning model to determine pathways to achieve emissions reduction strategies. Specifically, we apply our model to Rutgers University to evaluate its target of 100 % carbon neutrality. Using these insights, we share recommendations on how these strategies can be executed. This research serves as a springboard for administrators to assess and deploy their emissions reduction strategies, while ensuring system and financial constraints are satisfied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]