When one of the oldest shopping centers in State College, Pennsylvania, if not the region, goes solar, it’s more than an infrastructure upgrade; it’s a sign that clean energy has become an opportunity in everyday business decisions, right here in our own community.
“Hamilton Square, originally called University Park Plaza, was built in 1956 on the ‘outskirts’ of downtown State College and saw little change, good or bad, until about ten years ago,” said D. Richard Francke, President of University Park Plaza Corporation, Hamilton Square’s owner.
For BAI Group, working locally matters. Supporting businesses in our own communities allows us to see the direct, day-to-day impact of renewable energy investments — and to help ensure those investments are built to last. This project brought clean energy generation to a familiar commercial hub while delivering real, long-term value to the property owner by utilizing a primarily expenditure-only asset, the roof, to save costs and even create a potential new revenue source.
“We invest in the long term; this project allows us to use a big potential liability as an asset,” Francke said.
What makes a local commercial solar project especially compelling is the confidence behind the decision. Choosing to go solar is not just about lowering or eliminating electric bills; it’s a signal that sustainability makes business sense. In this case, Hamilton Square will benefit from more predictable energy costs and reduced operating expenses for years to come, while also shrinking its environmental footprint. “In our ever-changing world, being able to do right by our business and our environment is crucial,” Francke added.
The project also reflects how BAI’s broader approach to renewable energy works. Solar development is not just about panels and construction. It involves permitting, financing structures, tax considerations, and long-term operational planning — areas that can feel overwhelming for property owners. BAI’s role is to simplify that process, bringing technical expertise and practical guidance together so clients can make informed decisions with confidence.
“We were fortunate to already have a relationship with BAI Group through some of their other numerous services, so, despite this being our first foray into renewables, the trust was already there to lead us through this new world,” Francke said.
From BAI’s perspective, projects like Hamilton Square demonstrate how commercial properties can play a meaningful role in the clean energy transition when the right planning and partnerships are in place. “When property owners take a long-term view, solar can turn underutilized space into a resilient energy asset that delivers both economic and environmental returns,” said Sel Edor, General Manager of Renewables at BAI Group
The Hamilton Square solar array now joins a growing number of projects across central Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic that show how local businesses can lead by example — strengthening their bottom line while reducing their impact on the world we all share.
“We’re hopeful we can be an inspiration or model for others with similar properties to help themselves fiscally while reducing the impact to the world we all share,” Francke said.