UPMC Cole, a rural health network serving north-central Pennsylvania and south-central New York, is breaking ground on a 5.5-megawatt solar farm, the first within the UPMC system. Upon completion, UPMC says the farm will generate enough clean energy to meet nearly all the electricity needs of UPMC Cole’s Coudersport, Pa., hospital and campus facilities.
Construction is “anticipated to begin in the coming months,” first with road and access improvements, and then the installation of solar arrays and supporting infrastructure. UPMC expects the solar farm to go live by early 2027.
“This project is more than an energy solution, it’s a reflection of our values,” states Ron Reynolds, president, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro. “By investing in renewable energy, we’re reducing our carbon footprint, strengthening the local grid, and ensuring a healthier future for our patients, staff, and neighbors.”
“This solar farm represents a major milestone in UPMC’s sustainability journey,” says Michael Boninger, MD, UPMC’s chief medical sustainability officer. “By investing in renewable energy, UPMC Cole is reducing its environmental impact, lowering costs, and setting an example for sustainability in rural health care.”
UPMC says the farm will strengthen the regional energy grid without adding new demand. It describes solar energy as “the most cost-effective new power source, enabling UPMC to reinvest savings into patient care while minimizing land disturbance and preserving the natural aesthetics along Route 6.”
