Keene Solar Tour

(30) 229 Main Street

“Solar is one avenue Keene State College has pursued to reduce our carbon footprint and teach students sustainable energy practices and principles.”

Name
Linsey Edmunds representing Keene State College

What motivated you to install solar?
Keene State College is committed to producing clean and renewable energy. Solar is one avenue the college has pursued to reduce our carbon footprint and teach students sustainable energy practices and principles.

How many panels do you have, and if you know, how much energy are you producing, percentage of your electric usage?
Over 500 solar panels reduce the building’s consumption of energy from fossil fuels by 10-20%.

The Technology, Design, and Safety (TDS) Center (located at the intersection of Winchester and Wilson streets) earned LEED Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council/Green Building Certification Institute and houses several academic disciplines including Architecture, Sustainable Product Design and Innovation, and Safety, Occupational Health Applied Sciences. In addition to the TDS Center’s solar installations energy efficiency features include:

• Solar water heating tubes and highly efficient hybrid water heaters for storage.
• A glass curtainwall and window area are positioned on the south side of the building to maximize passive solar heating.
• Skylights help to brighten the interior of the building without the use to electricity.

What has been the biggest benefit so far? What are you excited about?
Teaching students – both at the college level and younger – sustainable energy practices and principles.

One long-standing program is the college’s GoSTEM program that is specifically designed for middle school girls. This program is offered every summer and is a key part of the College’s engagement with the City of Keene. The GoSTEM program emphasizes the sciences, often with a focus on sustainability. For example, during the summer of 2018, GoSTEM participants worked collaboratively as a team and built a solar powered phone charging station. The charging station remains in the TDS building on campus not only as a symbol of what young girls can accomplish together through scientific innovation, but also as a tool for renewable energy utilized by members of the community.