The largest solar energy field in Miami University’s history was recently unveiled and school officials heralded the hybrid electrical power and conservation area as a unique feature on the main Oxford campus. Located along the eastern campus near Miami’s SR 73 entrance, the Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park gives the school a new, non-traditional source of electrical power along with a new green space, said university officials. (Contributed)
The largest solar energy field in Miami University’s history was recently unveiled and school officials heralded the hybrid electrical power and conservation area as a unique feature on the main Oxford campus. Located along the eastern campus near Miami’s SR 73 entrance, the Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park gives the school a new, non-traditional source of electrical power along with a new green space, said university officials. (Contributed)
The largest solar energy field in Miami University’s history was recently unveiled and school officials heralded the hybrid electrical power and conservation area as a unique feature on the main Oxford campus.
Located along the eastern campus near Miami’s SR 73 entrance, the Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park gives the school a new, non-traditional source of electrical power along with a new green space, said university officials.
The more than 3,300 solar panels, located at the site of the former Thomson Hall, will feed into the Miami’s existing underground thermal well heating and cooling system underlying much of the campus.
“We believe we are the first in the country, maybe even the world, to have solar panels on top of a geothermal wellfield,” according to a statement from Miami President Gregory Crawford from the recent opening ceremony for the $5 million project.
 “We are extraordinarily grateful to Sharon and Graham Mitchell for their principal gift” that made the park happen,” said Crawford.
According to Miami officials, the park features two solar arrays — Western Solar North and South — with more than 3,300 ground mount solar panels that will produce around 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually.
The Western Solar North array sits on top of Miami’s Western Geothermal Well field. Completed in 2014, the wellfield consists of 690 geothermal wells, each 600 feet deep.
The new park also features walking paths, seating areas, lighting and informational signage. Trail connectors from the walking paths lead to nearby Miami Natural Areas trails.
Graham Mitchell, who along with his wife are both Miami graduates, said during the dedication ceremony: “We were recently reminded through the remarkable images from (NASA moon mission) Artemis II about how small and breathtakingly beautiful our world truly is.”
“Today, here at Miami University we gather to take a meaningful step toward sustainability and one that will help protect the fragile beauty for generations to come,” said Mitchell.
“In many ways this moment represents both a small step and a giant leap forward in Miami’s ongoing sustainability journey.”
“The sustainability park is truly extraordinary. We could not have imagined a more beautiful outcome when we were planning it,” he said.
During the ceremony, Sharon Mitchell said “standing here today in this beautiful park we are filled with both gratitude and hope.”
“Our hope is that this place becomes a space of reflection, connection, and inspiration for all who visit,” she said, adding “more importantly, that it encourages current and future generations of Miamians to renew their commitment to sustainability and to the stewardship of our shared home.”
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