Energy
We’re always looking at ways to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint. As new technologies have emerged, older campus facilities have been retrofitted with more efficient lighting, HVAC systems and other components and new sources of clean energy have been sought.
Photovoltaic Solar Parking Canopy
When it comes to solar energy, we’ve got it covered – literally! Vehicles in University Lot H, adjacent to Holloway, Fulton and Conway halls, park beneath a photovoltaic solar canopy that produces approximately 765,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually – see for yourself! It’s enough to power our Manokin, Pocomoke and Wicomico residence halls throughout the year. The lot also includes five electric vehicle charging stations.
Nanticoke Hall Domestic Hot Water Solar Collectors
Situated on the roof of Nanticoke Hall, evacuated tube solar collectors harness free sunshine and convert the sun's energy into hot water for use by the building's residents. The system is comprised of thick borosilicate glass outer tubes and thinner glass inner tubes. The air has been removed, or "evacuated" from the space between the two tubes. This vacuum acts as an insulator, reducing heat loss to the surrounding atmosphere. Nanticoke Hall's south facing roof surface provides the ideal exposure to the sun's rays.
Hot Water Solar Array
Vacuums between the tubes in the solar array atop Nanticoke Hall act as an insulator to reduce heat loss to the surrounding atmosphere. That translates to a solar water heater for the residents and as the heat source for the residence hall’s basement mechanical room.
Other Notable Energy-Efficient Features
- Geothermal wells drilled beneath Parking Lot F, adjacent to the Quad, provide heating, cooling and hot water for Manokin and Wicomico residence halls, and HVAC services for Nanticoke Hall. Geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature.
- We’ve installed occupancy sensors in many offices, meeting rooms and classrooms to reduce lighting consumption when these spaces are not occupied, leading to an estimated savings (and energy reduction) of 30 percent annually.
- Electronic building automation systems throughout campus help optimize HVAC systems to balance cost and comfort while helping to reduce energy consumption.