Solar project warms students up to reusable

Over the years, Plymouth State University has expressed the importance of becoming a sustainable campus. The goal is for not only faculty members but also students to have the opportunity to participate in events and learn more about what they can do to be sustainable. Coming up on Fri., Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Eco-House (across from the Police Station on High Street) solar panels used for heating hot water will be installed. This event is in partnership with the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) and is partially funded by the N.H. Electric Co-op. 

According to Plymouthenergy.org, PAREI was founded in 2004 with the mission to encourage energy conservation and energy efficiency practices while promoting the use of renewable energy in the Plymouth region. According to NHEC.com, The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) is a member-owned and controlled electric distributor serving approximately 80,000 members in 115 towns and cities. 

 All students are welcome to attend the event for hands-on experience.  At the Solar Hot Water Raising event, volunteers will work together with Brian Eisenhauer (PSU Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability) and Sandra Jones (PAREI Representative) to install two Apricus Evacuated Tub Solar Collectors on the south-facing roof of the Eco-House. The student's roles will be in assisting with the installation of piping, pumps and heat exchangers. There will be an information table explaining the benefits of heating water with solar energy, how the system works and detailed information about the installation process.  After the project is complete, the solar collectors will generate on average 60,000 BTUS a day, generating enough energy to heat an estimated 55% to 75% of the domestic water heating for the Eco-house.

The Eco-House was established in fall 2008. According to the Sustainability home page on the Plymouth website, the mission of the PSU Eco-House is, "To demonstrate environmentally sustainable technology in a residential setting, to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities to Plymouth State University students and the surrounding region, to collect and disseminate information about sustainability, and to help others live in more sustainable ways." The Eco-House is home to several offices, including the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Common Ground (PSU's environmental and social justice student organization) and the PSU Sustainability Fellows. Currently Eisenhauer, the Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability and the Interim Director of the Center for the Environment, and Steve Whiteman, an adjunct member in the Geography program teaching Environmental Planning and sustainability classes, are working with students in the Eco-House.

In a course offered last semester titled, "Sustainability in Residence," students had the opportunity to research materials including hardware, furniture, appliances, light fixtures and more for the renovation during the summer of 2010. This semester, the Eco-House has expanded to a residential program where students with an interest in sustainability can live and be involved in current environmental projects. The students agree to "act green" by choosing to conserve energy, recycle and provide education to other students. 

Those interested in attending this event are encouraged to come down to the Eco-House, the white house by the rotary. If you have any questions or wish to be involved with Eco-House in the future, feel free to e-mail Whitman (swhitman@jhtplanning.com), Eisenhauer (bweisenhauer@mail.plymouth.edu) or Kelly Donovan at (kedonovan@mail.plymouth.edu).