Image Credit: Eleanor Davis

Bard College Dedicates New Solar Installation

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Bard College “flipped the switch” on a new solar installation donated by the Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ in a special dedication ceremony on Tuesday, June 24. The 9kW solar installation was funded by a $35,000 donation from the Sun Club. The Sun Club is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees, including many in the Dutchess County area, to donate solar technology to nonprofits like Bard.

Bard partnered with the Radiant Store (Rensselaer, New York) to install a novel solar PV-thermal hybrid system, utilizing solar energy for both hot water production and grid power. The 32 photovoltaic panels are positioned on the roof of Bard College’s South Hall to produce renewable electricity, which, depending on conditions, will either be used to directly heat hot water or provide power to the building. The $35,000 donation was funded by Green Mountain, its customers, its employees and supporters who contribute to the Sun Club program.

To help commemorate the day, the Bard Community Children’s Center participated in fun solar-related activities, including making homemade solar cookers from old pizza boxes. “I spend a lot of time trying to educate college students about sustainability,” said Laurie Husted, Bard College sustainability manager. “So it was delightful to spend the day with the 4-year-olds from the Children’s Center as they learned about solar energy. We hope that they’ll bring some of what they learned back home to share with their parents.”

“Green Mountain has been providing renewable energy to homes and businesses with the mission to change the way power is made since 1997,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club Program Manager, Green Mountain Energy Company. “The Sun Club program furthers that mission by helping nonprofit organizations build solar energy systems. One by one, we’ve worked with incredible organizations to support sustainable best practices, educate on renewable energy, and contribute to the important work they do in each of their communities. These projects are a testament to the long-lasting commitment of our customers, employees, and supporters to renewable energy, and we look forward to an even brighter future.”

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Bard Office of Sustainability (BOS)

The mission of BOS is to enhance the sustainability of the College in its operations, academics, and outreach, while making Bard carbon neutral by 2035. The office’s primary focus involves energy efficiency and renewable energy, efficient transportation, and flow of goods. It fosters dialogue among community members, assesses new technology and industry best practices, coordinate projects, develops policy, and markets programs. BOS encourages all community members to take part in furthering sustainability.

The Radiant Store, LLC

The Radiant Store is a diversified company specializing in renewable power: thermal solar hot water systems, integrated solar hydronics, and radiant heating systems. We are dedicated to providing alternative energy through sustainable building practices, and to preserving our planet and our resources for future generations. Our mission is focused on making thermal solar technology accessible to home owners and businesses to make it a true reality for those seeking energy-efficient, carbon-neutral solutions in their efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Green Mountain Energy^TM Sun Club^TM
Green Mountain Energy^TM Sun Club^TM is a program empowering Green Mountain Energy Company, its residential customers, and employees  to donate solar power to sustainably minded nonprofit organizations. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has donated more than $3 million to help install over 650 kilowatts of solar power, which has the potential to avoid more than 924,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s like planting 110 trees every year.

For more information, or to contribute to the Sun Club, visit www.gmsunclub.com.

Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest-serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun, and water for good. The company was founded in 1997 with the mission to “change the way power is made.” Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid more than 30.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

Bard College

Founded in 1860, Bard is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The campus, a fusion of two historic riverfront estates, is located in the Hudson Valley. The College offers the bachelor of arts degree with concentrations in more than 40 academic programs in four divisions: Arts; Languages and Literature; Science, Mathematics, and Computing; and Social Studies; and a five-year B.A./B.S. degree in economics and finance. Through a five-year program with The Bard College Conservatory of Music, students earn a B.Music degree and a B.A. in a field other than music. Bard offers the following graduate degrees: master of fine arts; master of arts in curatorial studies; master of arts, master of philosophy, and doctor of philosophy in decorative arts, design history, and material culture; master of science in economic theory and policy; master of science in environmental policy and in climate science and policy; master of business administration in sustainability; master of arts in teaching; and master of music in vocal arts and in conducting. Several graduate dual degrees also are offered.

With its deep commitment to civic engagement, Bard is a private institution that acts in the public interest. Bard undertakes and fosters initiatives that reflect its principles—innovation, ambition, risk taking, and a fundamental belief in the link between liberal education and democracy. What distinguishes Bard is its willingness and ability to promote and sustain long-term projects that engage its students, faculty, and administrators with some of the most important issues facing society. Whether in social service organizations in the Hudson Valley; in prisons; in high schools in New York City, Newark, and New Orleans; or at universities in Russia, Berlin, the West Bank, and Kyrgyzstan, Bard is always innovating and engaging.

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This event was last updated on 06-27-2014

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