Advancing Energy Resilience on Campus: The SOU Living Lab Approach

Sustainability is a core value at Southern Oregon University. We continue to expand our solar energy infrastructure with intentionality. Not only does this support our goal of 100% daytime electricity use offset by solar. But it is strengthening our community resilience efforts and building an essential living laboratory for our students. 

We have recently completed new Solar Arrays on The Hawk Dining Hall, Marion Ady, and The Art Building. These new additions bring the count to twelve arrays across campus.

In addition to the solar arrays, SOU has installed its first on-campus battery energy storage system, which provides both renewable generation and resilience benefits. The battery storage was implemented to provide emergency back-up energy to The Hawk Dining Hall, providing basic power needs for emergency responders and community members. 

More exciting developments are on the way, with additional solar and resilience projects in planning, all with education for our students in mind.

The Institute for Applied Sustainability at SOU is launching The Community Resilience and Leadership Student Fellows Program that utilizes SOU’s campus and our region as a living laboratory. This flagship program is uniquely linking our infrastructure, community partnerships, and the classroom to create hands-on, real-world learning opportunities for students in energy and community resilience. Empowering them to be the next generation of leaders.

Thank you to Litha Motors & Driveway and Greencars for collaborating on this video and for your continued support of SOU sustainability efforts. 

For additional information about SOU’s sustainability efforts, please visit SOU Campus Operations, SOU Climate Action or The Institute for Applied Sustainability

To support future IAS projects, events, and efforts, please visit our Support and Giving Page Website.