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About Denison

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Latest University News
Professor Margot Singer

Professor Margot Singer explores layered identities in new book

May 27, 2025
The Men's Tennis team with their trophy in front of the final scoreboard.

A dream fulfilled: Denison wins its first NCAA men’s tennis title

May 23, 2025
Photo of Matt Tanney, new associate vice president and director of athletics

Denison names Matt Tanney new associate vice president and director of athletics

May 20, 2025
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Renewable Energy

Information about Denison's solar power source

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Sustainability



  • Our Commitment
    Our Commitment

    A history of Denison University's commitment to sustainability

    • History of Sustainability
    • Denison’s Climate Goals
    • Recognition & Accolades
  • Commitment in Action
    Commitment in Action

    A list of frequently asked questions about sustainability efforts at Denison University.

    • Green Revolving Fund
    • Zero Waste
    • Local & Responsibly Sourced Foods
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Buildings
  • Get Engaged
    Get Engaged

    A list of student organizations that work to promote different facets of responsible living both on campus and in the local community.

    • Green Campus Organizations
    • Homestead
    • Community Sustainability Projects
    • Community Garden
    • Choose Local
  • Education & Research
    Education & Research

    Education and research related to sustainability is a core value for Denisonians.

    • Biological Reserve
    • Denison Arboretum
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Renewable energy through the power of the sun

Solar Panels

Denison currently receives 15% of its energy from solar energy. Our largest solar array, comprised of 6750 panels located on a 10-acre degraded field in the college’s BioReserve, provides 2.3 megawatts of energy. This array, along with a smaller “teaching” array located behind Denison’s Red Barn Recycling Station, became active in 2017. The BioReserve array also is home to Ohio’s first solar array pollinator habitat, with more than 1 million pollinator-friendly plants.

Learn more about the history of this array.

These solar arrays have reduced our carbon footprint by 10%, a healthy step forward toward Denison’s commitment of carbon neutrality by 2030. Denison now boasts nine solar arrays and we continue to add them across campus. Solar is one way that we make our commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality more visible to the community.

Historic landmarks in solar energy

Denison was an early adopter of solar power. In the early 1980s, a couple of small solar arrays were added to the Denison Homestead. One of the arrays powers a pump that provides drinking water for the 12 students living there and the other array powers lights and a refrigerator in the cabins. A major renovation and addition at the Homestead saw the installation of a 10.14kW array in 2013.

In 2007, a 6.44kW array was installed on the roof of the Library. This array was one of the first to be installed at a college in Ohio.

The Polly Anderson Field Station at the Denison Biological Reserve has a geothermal heating and cooling system and in 2014, a 7.84kW solar array was added to the roof of that building.

Solar Monitoring:

  • View the 10-acre Bio Reserve Array Dashboard
  • View the Red Barn Recycling Station Array Dashboard
  • View the Polly Anderson Field Station Dashboard
  • View the Brown Hall Solar Array Dashboard
  • View the Pratt Hall Solar Array Dashboard
  • View the Myers Hall Solar Array Dashboard
  • View the Silverstein Hall Solar Array Dashboard
  • View the Concession Stand Solar Array Dashboard

Denison continues to explore ways to source all of its electricity needs from renewable sources. Be it through Power Purchase Agreements, Renewable Energy Supply Contracts or the deployment of more on campus solar, Denison is committed to its carbon neutral goal and reducing its reliance on carbon intensive energy sources.

On this page

  • Renewable energy through the power of the sun
  • Historic landmarks in solar energy
  • Solar Monitoring:

Spotlights

Colin Ravin ’24, left, and Chase King ’24 stand in front of Denison’s new Chevy Bolt.
Denison Magazine

Charging toward a more sustainable Denison

Colin Ravin ’24 and Chase King ’24 team up with Chris Wolfington ’90 to make the case that the future of the college’s vehicle fleet is electric.
A group of people sitting outside at the homestead

The Homestead’s ‘ever-evolving experiment in community’

Established in 1977, the Homestead is a living reminder of Denison’s sustainability roots.
Suni Harford
Denison Magazine

Invested In Change

Suni Harford ’84 one of the most powerful women in finance, on how a rising environmental and social consciousness has transformed investing—and forced
Sarah Davis ’94, Chief Ranger at Yellowstone National Park
Denison Magazine

The View From Here

How Sarah Davis ’94 works to protect the park from the people and the people from the park as Chief Ranger at Yellowstone.
Henshaw family and students playing board game

Home sweet home?

When international Denison students couldn't go home during the coronavirus pandemic, the college partnered with local families.
Girl at soda machine
How We Live

Building a better soda dispenser

Bringing local, natural sodas to the campus took a lot of research and quite a bit of know-how.
Ongoing-sustainability
How We Learn

Ongoing sustainability

As seniors graduate, they take their values into the world with them.
student in garden
How We Live

Food for Thought

DU raises awareness about local and global impacts of one of our favorite things: food.
Students Helping Local Farmers
How We Live

Students Helping Local Farmers

Seniors Jennifer Curry and Emily Marguerite bring local produce to the Denison community through a partnership with area farmers.
Musings from the Coordinator
How We Live

Musings from the Coordinator

Is Denison on the right track towards sustainability?
Going green
How We Live

Going Green On the Hill

Denison is continuing its active campaign to go green and to be more sustainable.

What's Happening

Announcements & Updates

Denison sponsors invasive pear tree bounty program

Denison partners with Pollinator Pathway to remove invasive Bradford pear trees from Licking County.

Read more
What's Happening

Denison professor contributes to new climate change report

Environmental studies assistant professor Lucy McAllister’s research is part of the 2023 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change.

Read more
University News

Ohio EPA grant advances sustainability at Denison

Nearly $90,000 from the Ohio EPA will go toward equipment to convert food waste into fertilizer.

Read more
See All
More From Denison
Academic Majors
Academic Majors
Living at Denison
Living at Denison
Study Abroad
Study Abroad
Career Exploration
Career Exploration

100 West College Street
Granville, Ohio 43023
1-740-587-0810

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