Solar panels should be added to FAMUs facilities

 

With all the renovations and new buildings being constructed on and around FAMU’s  campus, it would make sense for the school to add solar panels it’s facilities if it really wanted to go green.

There is no excuse for solar panels not being put into use on campus. Not only are they readily available, but President Obama even approved for $2 billion in solar energy grants this July. It is worth noting, the U.S. departments of Treasury and Agriculture have federal grant programs that are specifically for the use of renewable energy products such as solar panels. 

According to the Florida Solar Energy Center, about 32 percent of an educational facility’s energy use comes from interior lighting. It does not help when lights are left on for hours on end, whether the room is in use or not. 

The FAMU Green Coalition has been pushing for the campus to “go green,” and with the 10-10-10 event having come and gone, it’s amazing that similar meaures are not being taken with the new facilities.       It is not entirely up to the green coalition , the administration must get involved as well.

What is so hard about adding functioning solar panels that will aid in the school trying to decrease its carbon footprint and save the school millions of dollars in energy costs in the long run? 

FAMU is already going green with Siemens, a “global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors.” With a 10-year, $4.1 million contract that includes lighting upgrades, pipe insulation and steam trap replacements at the campus’ central plant, why can’t we do the same for our new and improved facilities? 

According to a press release by Siemens, with these fixtures and additions to the physical plant, the campus is calculated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4.5 million pounds. However, with the inclusion of solar panels the school could do even more. 

It should not be a question of if, but of when we will use solar panels on campus.