HBCU Clean Energy Initiative

Advancing HBCUs Solar Access, Reliability, System Workflow, and Performance with AI-Driven Insights

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) encounter systemic challenges in adopting and managing solar energy systems, including aging infrastructure, limited staff capacity, and a lack of accessible, data-driven planning tools. To address these constraints, this project developed an AI-assisted platform that enables campus administrators to visualize potential solar installation sites and receive optimized recommendations based on feasibility, spatial characteristics, and projected energy demand. This tool is designed to support non-technical users while promoting institutional decision-making and long-term planning. Complementing the platform, a comprehensive HBCU Campus Energy Dataset was constructed through engagement with 77 institutions, capturing critical information on infrastructure, solar adoption, and organizational capacity. In addition, a GIS-based mapping system was created to analyze the spatial distribution of solar projects and identify new deployment opportunities both on campus and within a 1km, 5km, 10km, and 25km radius. By prioritizing accessibility, spatial intelligence, and institutional relevance, this research establishes a scalable digital framework to enhance energy resilience and support equitable solar energy expansion across the HBCU network.

Project Report - coming soon

Project Poster - coming soon

HBCU Campus Database – coming soon

Campus Solar Simulation https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZJ97u3OpvyDfaOIM7vu1qsDBiGsedtky?usp=sharing

Frontend GIS-selection interface: https://github.com/GKNB/VFP_2025_solar_panel