Solar panels are now a more prominent feature on the Milton campus horizon. The installation of photovoltaic solar panels is underway on the two, south facing gable roofs of the Athletic and Convocation Center (ACC). The ACC is the largest building on campus, and the largest user of electricity. Photovoltaic panels generate electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity. On a sunny, summer day, the panels will produce 900-kilowatt hours of useful electricity. This will provide about 50 percent of the electricity load for the ACC when the hockey rink is not in service. The estimated savings for Milton in electricity costs over a 20-year period is over $400,000.
The Athletic Center is the second campus building to use solar power. The Pritzker Science Center uses electricity generated from both hot water and photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. Milton’s observable sustainability commitment at the ACC roof is another chapter in an evolving story. Students, faculty and staff continue to explore and implement numerous sustainable initiatives. For example, Milton eliminated bottled water on campus this spring. Water fountains around campus were retrofitted to allow easy filling of reusable mugs and bottles.
Ameresco, Inc., owns the solar system on the ACC, and is installing the panels, which will be completed this summer. Based in Framingham, Massachusetts, Ameresco, Inc. is a leading independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America.
