The University of Washington has completed construction of a solar canopy installation in a large parking area located to the north of Husky Stadium, advancing the institution’s sustainability objectives.
The installation features an 84-kilowatt solar panel system working in conjunction with Level 2 electric vehicle charging capabilities that can simultaneously charge up to 20 vehicles. With a total cost of $3.7 million, the initiative also encompasses electrical infrastructure designed to enable future expansion of solar panels generating nearly 30 times the current capacity, reaching up to 2.5 megawatts of power. This expanded capacity would be sufficient to supply electricity to approximately 2,000 residential homes.
According to Mark Huppert, who serves as interim director of UW Transportation Services, the solar canopy functions as a pilot initiative aligned with the university’s carbon reduction objectives. Huppert noted through email correspondence that the project location at the site of what was previously the Montlake landfill showcases how such land can be repurposed for more environmentally beneficial uses.
The project brought together multiple partners, with Sea Con serving as general contractor and Prime Electric handling electrical contracting responsibilities. Trinity Structures, now operating under the name Trinity Energy, manufactured the canopy system.
The system connects to both the City of Seattle’s electrical grid and the university campus power network. By producing electricity on-site, the university can decrease its dependence on utility grid power while mitigating risks associated with power interruptions and variable electricity pricing.
Darin Leonard, president of Trinity Energy, emphasized in an official statement that while producing solar energy from parking facilities might appear modest, the strategic significance is substantial.
The concept originated through cooperative efforts among UW Solar, a student-led organization; Anne Eskridge, former director of UW Transportation Services; and Jan Whittington, who directs the university’s Urban Infrastructure Lab.
The university is presently developing its 2050 Sustainability Action Plan, which incorporates plans for long-term expansion of the parking lot solar canopy installations. Huppert indicated that UW Solar students plan to remain involved in supporting efforts to realize the complete buildout vision.
Financing for the project came from multiple sources, including UW Transportation Services, Seattle City Light, and Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act funding administered through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s electric vehicle charging program.
The project represents a significant step forward in the university’s broader environmental commitments while demonstrating practical applications for renewable energy generation in urban campus settings. The infrastructure’s design with expansion capabilities reflects forward-thinking planning that positions the university to scale up clean energy production as resources and technology continue to advance. The dual-purpose nature of the installation, providing both weather protection for parked vehicles and renewable energy
generation, exemplifies efficient use of existing spaces to serve multiple sustainability goals simultaneously.