Abstract: Over the past years, the members of the IEEE Western Puerto Rico Section affiliated with Minds2CREATE Research Team, in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, the IEEE Western Puerto Rico PES Chapter, and local private industries on the west coast of Puerto Rico, has been actively involved in the unique Solar District Cup (SDC).  The SDC is the premier photovoltaic design competition, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, that has provided a platform for the Minds2CREATE Research Team to showcase the proposed innovative solutions.

 As a competitor in the Solar District Cup, the Minds2CREATE Research Team was tasked with the district use case of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), a campus dedicated to achieving climate neutrality and expanding its renewable energy infrastructure. The goal was to introduce an innovative solar-plus-storage solution, a pioneering concept tailored to TCNJ's unique energy needs, technical constraints, and sustainability goals.

 The proposed design expands the campus's 2.5 MW solar portfolio by integrating high-efficiency solar shingles, rooftop arrays, and solar carport systems across academic buildings and parking lots. A distributed battery energy storage system (BESS) complements the solar deployment, targeting grid demand reduction during critical 4–8 p.m. peak hours and enhancing energy resilience for potential microgrid operation.

 We have secured a third-party Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the project's feasibility and scalability. This agreement offers TCNJ a cost-effective, maintenance-inclusive pathway to decarbonization with no upfront capital investment. The system is projected to offset over 7.6 million kWh of energy annually, substantially reducing campus-wide emissions by an estimated 25% relative to their 2014 baseline.

Finally, the proposal incorporates strategies for equitable energy access, educational outreach, and electric vehicle infrastructure, aligning technical performance with long-term community impact. Finally, this webinar will show how campus-scale clean energy development can deliver environmental, financial, and social value.