From Harford Community College:
Forty-five 230-watt photovoltaic panels, which are used for generating electricity, were recently installed on the roof of Aberdeen Hall, the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) center at Harford Community College, thanks in large part to J.M. Huber Corporation.
Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a division of J.M. Huber Corporation, made a five-year pledge of $50,000 in 2007 to support student scholarships, scientific education, and sustainability projects at HCC. The College is located near their plant in Havre de Grace, Maryland, which produces ingredients for HEM’s Silica and Health & Nutrition (H&N) Strategic Business Units. The first $10,000 was awarded to students for scholarships, and the remaining $40,000 was used to pay for photovoltaic panels. In recognition of the company’s generous gift to the College, Chemistry lab #303 in Aberdeen Hall was named for J.M. Huber Corporation.
“We are happy to be able to help the College in its endeavors to be a green campus, and to provide the means and materials to teach students about environmental issues,” says Minas Apelian, Vice President & General Manager-Health & Nutrition at Huber Engineered Materials. “In addition, this partnership is in accord with our Huber Principle of Environmental, Health & Safety Sustainability.”
The photovoltaic system will generate approximately 10,000 watts of electricity or 10 KW, and the energy generated will be reflected on HCC’s monthly BGE bill. The College will retain ownership of the system’s “Renewable Energy Credits” or RECs which can be used to help offset its carbon footprint. In addition, a monitoring system will be installed to allow hands-on learning for students who will be able to observe the amount of energy being generated.
“These photovoltaic panels will provide our students with the ability to fully understand how the generation of electricity from the sun takes place. Theory in the classroom is of the utmost importance but having a large working system right here in our new STEM building is an added bonus. Without Huber, this project would not be possible,” added Dr. Dennis Golladay, President of Harford Community College.
Photovoltaic systems produce clean energy over a very long period of time, in excess of 20 years, and are recognized as one of only a few sources of clean, renewable energy.
Like HCC, Huber is committed to protecting the environment. According to their website, one of Huber’s core values is to be a good corporate citizen in the communities in which they operate around the world. The company strongly believes in sustainability – being responsible stewards of the environment. In fact, they put environmental protection processes into place in the 1950s, long before environmental issues were a concern for many companies. Huber’s longstanding approach to the environment can be summed up by a simple phrase: leave a light footprint.
Harford Community College has been a leader in practicing green environmental practices in Harford County. Harford was recognized in the KIWI 2007 and KIWI 2008 Green College Reports as one of 50 institutions nationwide that are making a significant contribution to the environment.
During the renovation and expansion of Aberdeen Hall, green building features were incorporated into the building design and include a rainwater collection system used for flushing toilets and watering the rooftop greenhouse, use of recycled materials throughout the building, solar hot water systems, energy efficiencies through solar panels, and natural lighting.
Harford Community College’s renovation of Joppa Hall achieved Silver certification through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. The College also received Bay-Wise Certification for its landscaping and grounds maintenance practices, demonstrating Harford’s commitment to protecting the environment and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. In addition, two large solar hot water heating systems were installed on the roofs of the Student Center and Chesapeake Center. These systems provide hot water using the sun and reduce operating costs and the College’s carbon footprint.
The College has received recognition for its environmental programs, and J.M. Huber Corporation has been highlighted as one of the institution’s key industrial sponsors.
From left to right: Steve Garey, Harford Community College Capital Projects Coordinator, Dr. Minas Apelian, Vice President & General Manager-Health & Nutrition at Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), and Dr. Dennis Golladay, Harford Community College President, stand on the rooftop of Aberdeen Hall at Harford Community College amid solar panels, which were installed to teach sustainability, thanks to a donation from HEM.
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