Community Connections

Photovoltaic Project

Solar Photovoltaic Panels to Be Installed on the Existing Central Campus Residence Hall

The installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array on the existing Central Campus Residence Hall began mid June. Six inverters, which function in a similar fashion as electrical boxes, were mounted on the residence hall roof. The actual PV panels have arrived and were moved to the top of the residence hall roof via crane. All work thus far has taken place on the interior, campus-side of the building away from the bike path.

The PV panels will be installed over the next two weeks and will be operational in early August. The majority of the lifts and equipment used for installation will continue to be on the inside faces of the existing residence hall.

A system this size reduces the college's use of grid-produced electricity by approximately 81,600 kWh per year and provides the added benefit of serving as an educational tool to students and a demonstration of Salem State's commitment to a clean energy future. Benefits include savings on energy costs and supplemental electric consumption. Once operational, a website will be devised by Broadway Electrical that will show the amount of electricity generated by the panels and the amount of carbon saved. This will be linked to our neighborhood pages.