Exploring the intersection of solar energy, plant production, and sustainable design through hands-on research and innovation
Purpose
To investigate how green roofs and agrivoltaic systems can support sustainable urban agriculture, energy generation, and water-efficient plant growth, using rooftop spaces at CSU Spur as research and demonstration platforms
Description
At CSU Spur, researchers are turning rooftops into research spaces to explore how urban infrastructure can support food production, biodiversity, and energy generation. The green roof atop the Terra building serves as a public-facing living lab to study plant-pollinator interactions, irrigation strategies, native seed establishment, and edible crop production. On the Hydro building, a non-public rooftop supports a pilot agrivoltaic system—solar panels paired with planters beneath them—to investigate how sunlight can be shared between energy generation and plant growth. In future phases, the Hydro rooftop will be integrated with diverse water sources supplied by the Water TAP lab, enabling controlled irrigation research using stormwater, graywater, and other fit-for-purpose supplies. These integrated systems help advance urban sustainability through applied, interdisciplinary research.
Impact
This project demonstrates how underutilized urban spaces can support sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and ecological function. Insights from CSU Spur’s rooftop research will inform greener building design and urban food systems in cities across the world.
Partners
This initiative builds on a foundation of research and innovation at CSU Spur:
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