In February 2006, the NSCC Facilities department invited the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources to survey the college as a potential Solar Photovoltaic site. Working with the State Sustainability Program, The Mass Tech Collaborative (MTC) and Mass Development Finance Agency, NSCC applied for federal funding for a 62.2KWH Solar PV installation. The $528,700 project would 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 and will be paid back from the energy savings from the project.
On February 21, 2007, North Shore Community College was notified that its project was one of the six that have been approved by both the MTC and Federal IRS CREBs program. The solar installation was completed in July, 2009,
The solar panels are expected to produce 74,726 kWh on average annually, 3% of the buildings electrical requirements and will reduce CO2 by 50 tons annually.
View Live Data from Thomas W. McGee Building Solar Site
NSCC, working with the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) installed Solar Photovoltaic panels on the Frederick E. Berry Building in 2011. This building houses classrooms, the library, cafeteria, offices including the President's office suite, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources. The $333,469 project included $185,419 of ARRA funds as well as $148,050 funded by the Federal Government loan program for Clean Renewable Energy. The loan portion will be paid back from the energy savings from the project. The solar panels are expected to produce 83,640 kWh on average annually, 5% of the buildings electrical requirements. It is estimated the solar installation will save $10,037 annually and will reduce CO2 by 55 tons each year.
View Live Data from the Frederick E. Berry Building Solar Site
The Health Professions & Student Services Building was designed to incorporate solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the main roof of the building and on walkway canopies in the parking lot to capture sunlight and turn it into energy. The system was designed to match and offset energy consumed in the building with solar energy produced over the course of a year.
View Live Data from the Health Professions & Student Services Building Solar Site
NSCC, through the state's Division of Capital Asset Management, has implemented a wide range of improvements, totalling $3.6 million, on its Lynn and Danvers campuses. Work in Lynn includes replacement of a chiller and cooling tower, electric to gas heat conversion, domestic water conservation, new energy management systems and lighting improvements. In Danvers, the focus has been on piping improvements, electric to gas heating and cooling conversion, variable frequency drives, energy management systems, motors, lighting systems and controls improvements.
The cost of these improvements is covered by the savings in energy consumption over the next several years. Besides savings, these improvements illustrate NSCC determination to meet high sustainability standards and create a positive environment for its students, faculty and staff.
North Shore Community College