University of Bologna doubles its solar power capacity: a decisive step towards energy self-sufficiency

The University of Bologna is accelerating its sustainability efforts and taking a decisive step towards energy self-sufficiency. With four major new photovoltaic installations now operational across the Bologna and Forlì Campuses, the University has doubled its solar power generation capacity, increasing its total installed capacity from 1.5 MWp (megawatt-peak) to 3.08 MWp.

Expected annual photovoltaic electricity generation has also doubled, from 1.69 GWh (gigawatt-hours) to 3.4 GWh, bringing the share of self-generated electricity to over 7% of the University’s total electricity consumption, compared with 3% in 2025.

The initiative is expected to deliver annual savings of €850,000 on energy supply costs and directly cut CO₂ emissions by more than 700 tonnes a year.

With this result, the University achieves the 2.5 MWp target set in the Strategic Plan for 2027 two years ahead of schedule. But the University aims to go further, with additional rooftop photovoltaic installations and agrivoltaic systems planned to bring self-generated electricity to 10% by the end of 2027.

Reducing exposure to Energy Market volatility

Between July and August, the price of electricity (PUN) rose by 44%, while the price of gas (PSV) increased by 40%. Against a backdrop of significant uncertainty and sharp price increases, investing in self-generated electricity has proved to be a key strategic tool for ensuring financial stability.

“We see self-generated renewable energy not only as an environmental responsibility, but also as a structural means of safeguarding the University financially,” says Rector Giovanni Molari. “The progressive electrification of energy consumption and reduced reliance on gas-fired heating plants mean that we need to turn our rooftops into active infrastructure, reducing our dependence on the grid and shielding the University from speculative price spikes in energy markets.”

The new installations: details of the projects

The University has therefore adopted a strategy based on installing new photovoltaic systems on its own buildings. The plan is transforming University rooftops from passive elements into active spaces, reducing dependence on the electricity grid and cutting emissions associated with energy consumption.

In Bologna, the new photovoltaic systems, funded through University resources, Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and ministerial calls for funding, have been installed on buildings at the Navile District and the Fanin District, home to the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences. At the Forlì Campus, solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the former ENAV building and the building in Via Cicognani, which houses the Industrial Engineering laboratories.

The photovoltaic system installed at the Navile District has a capacity of 744 kWp (kilowatt-peak), with expected annual electricity generation of 0.83 GWh (gigawatt-hours), equivalent to 12% of the entire Navile District’s annual electricity consumption.

 At the Fanin District, the new photovoltaic system has a capacity of 579 kWp and will generate approximately 0.64 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 17% of the District’s total annual electricity consumption.

The two new installations at the Forlì Campus will generate enough electricity to cover 39% of the electricity consumption of the former ENAV building and the building in Via Cicognani.

All the new photovoltaic systems can communicate with the remote monitoring and control systems used by the University in each building. This makes it possible to monitor in real time the effectiveness of the University’s strategy to increase self-generated electricity from renewable sources and to take prompt action in the event of reduced efficiency, faults or service interruptions.

The overall Energy Plan Strategy

The expansion of the photovoltaic network forms part of the measures set out in the University of Bologna’s Energy Plan, approved at the end of 2023. Thanks to the measures and investments introduced in recent years, electricity now accounts for 63% of the University’s primary energy consumption, with gas accounting for 21% and district heating for 16%.

Other measures already in place include:

• the elimination of all heating plants powered by liquid fossil fuels (diesel and fuel oil);
•  the implementation of an energy management system, extended to water consumption in 2026, which makes it possible to monitor energy and water consumption, as well as associated costs, for each individual building;
• the progressive replacement of less efficient lighting with more energy-efficient solutions in indoor and outdoor lighting systems across University premises;
•  the reduction of heating-related energy consumption across University premises and the review of supply contracts, particularly for district heating;
•  the expansion of the remote monitoring network for systems serving University buildings;
•  the launch of a process to replace gas boilers with electric heat pumps as part of renovation projects;
•  increased use of district heating to supply heat to University premises, with the aim of progressively reducing gas consumption, maintenance costs and emissions in urban areas.

Finally, with a Building Plan worth approximately €400 million, the coming years will see significant renovation of existing spaces and an expansion of teaching and research laboratories, classrooms and offices. To meet the energy needs resulting from this expansion, alongside increased self-generation of electricity and the electrification of energy consumption, the University is considering introducing supply contracts based on the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model. This solution would make it possible to maximise the use of electricity generated from renewable sources while keeping costs and emissions under control.