COUDERSPORT, Pa. — UPMC Cole is taking what hospital officials say is “a bold step toward a greener future.”

Beginning in early 2026, the hospital will break ground on a 5.5-megawatt solar project, the first of its kind within the UPMC system. This project will transform the Coudersport campus and set a new standard for sustainability in health care.

“This project is more than an energy solution, it’s a reflection of our values,” said Ron Reynolds, president of 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.”

Upon completion, the field of solar panels will generate enough energy to meet nearly all the electricity needs of UPMC Cole and the facilities on its campus, “reinforcing UPMC’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the health of the communities it serves,” a press release stated.

“This solar farm represents a major milestone in UPMC’s sustainability journey,” said Dr. Michael Boninger, chief medical sustainability officer for UPMC. “Health care doesn’t just happen inside hospital walls; it’s about creating healthier communities and a healthier planet.

“By investing in renewable energy, UPMC Cole is reducing its environmental impact, lowering costs and setting an example for sustainability in rural health care,” Boninger continued. “This project shows that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand, benefiting patients today and generations to come.”

The project will strengthen the regional energy grid without adding new demand, and infrastructure upgrades such as substation improvements and new electrical lines will benefit the broader utility network, the Cole release stated. It noted that solar energy is 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 U.S. Route 6.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the coming months, starting with road and access improvements, followed by the installation of solar arrays and supporting infrastructure. UPMC expects the solar panels to begin supplying energy by early 2027.