NSCC going green with solar panels

LYNN – Construction crews began the installation of energy-conserving solar panels at North Shore Community College’s Thomas McGee Building Monday, beginning the first of six such installations on public institutions statewide.The project is both part of the state’s sustainability program and the school’s own multi-year strategic plan, which also focuses heavily on converting to a green campus.According to the college, the panels will produce 3 percent of the Lynn campus’ energy consumption, or approximately 74,726 kilowatts annually.The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources first toured the Lynn campus in 2006 to determine if the site could support the installation of solar panels, later identifying the McGee Building as a viable location.The school was one of six buildings statewide to receive funding for solar panels from the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in 2007, joining the Chelsea Soldier Home, Mount Wachusett Community College, Salem State College, Springfield Technical Community College and Worcester State CollegeThe $528,700 project will be funded by a $338,100 grant from the MTC. The remaining $190,600 will be funded by the Federal Government zero-interest loan program for Clean Renewable Energy.The panels are expected to be completed and active by the end of June.The project is another step in the green direction for a school that has become one of the leaders in the state in initializing sustainability efforts, launching a “green curriculum” in 2007.The primary focus of the curriculum is to include sustainability as a component in every classroom, so that when students leave the school and enter the workplace they are prepared to move forward in their career with an eye on environment.”To say sustainability is a priority for North Shore Community College would be an understatement,” said NSCC President Wayne Burton, who became the 100th college president to sign the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, pledging to take a leadership role in fighting global warming last year. “We’re not only leading by example with our facilities, we’re teaching about 15,000 people a year who take classes here to think green so they can reduce their carbon footprint in their communities and in their jobs.”Along with the solar panel installation, the school has funded several small construction projects in both Lynn and Danvers that Burton says will shrink the college’s carbon footprint.At the Danvers Campus, a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) construction project will start this summer.The solar panel installation follows a campus-wide sustainability fair held last week where students demonstrated and learned about green initiatives, including using solar panels and taking measures to reduce energy consumption.Faculty have also taken to “going green,” hosing a professional development day last Thursday featuring workshops taught by volunteer faculty members and a keynote speech on sustainability.