It’s no surprise that the installation of solar panels have become popular over the last decade. Going solar ensures that companies are doing their best for the community and environment while providing cost-reductions and educational opportunities.
EBSCO is committed to giving back to the environment and, in 2016, the company launched EBSCO Solar to help libraries do the same. By allowing libraries to install clean, renewable power sources, the need for “brown power” decreases incrementally and teaches communities about the impact humans have on our planet. Since 2016, EBSCO has awarded libraries nearly one million dollars in solar grants.
During this year’s ALA-Annual Conference in Washington D.C., EBSCO announced the winners of this year’s EBSCO Solar Grant –Hedgesville Public Library in Hedgesville, West Virginia, New Port Richey Public Library in New Port Richey, Florida, and Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Each institution received $100,000 grants to install solar arrays.
Since 2016, EBSCO has awarded libraries nearly one million dollars in solar grants.
Since 2016, EBSCO has awarded libraries nearly one million dollars in solar grants.
Hedgesville Public Library in Hedgesville, West Virginia, is part of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries, and has a mission to enhance the lives of its county’s residents. The library is a center for the community and a common space where citizens without Wi-Fi in their homes can gain access to internet services, as well as print and digital materials. The library will install the cost-reducing solar arrays to free up library funds that will provide additional materials, programming and services for the entire Berkeley County community.
The New Port Richey Public Library in New Port Richey, Florida, has a mission to transform lives with a curriculum aimed at improving literacy, engaging community, advancing knowledge and sparking creative expression. NPRPL has also made it a goal to bring communities together with an aim of providing access to nutrient-rich food from its organic gardens. Looking to rebrand and renovate as a green library, the library’s goal is to communicate the importance of sustainability to residents and surrounding communities.
Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, is embarking on several innovation projects in the renewable energy sector with the intent of providing students, faculty and the community an opportunity to learn about emerging technologies. The Medicine Hat campus will provide and electric vehicle charging station, solar panels and wind turbines. This grant will allow Medicine Hat College to expand its investment and continue its research into renewables at the Brooks campus. EBSCO Solar will provide the college with an opportunity to showcase a creative and functional solar garden that will educate students, residents and businesses in the region on how to effectively implement the use of alternative resources.