Elizabethtown College awarded $500,000 Energy Development Authority Grant

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (11/08/2014)(readMedia)-- Elizabethtown College was awarded a $500,000 Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) grant to install a 2-megawatt ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system and create opportunities for students and faculty members to study various aspects of solar energy.

There were 184 PEDA projects submitted to the governor's office, totaling more than $81 million. Only 28 were awarded grants to local governments, schools and businesses for alternative and clean energy projects, along with projects deploying technologies such as solar energy, hydropower, biomass and energy efficiency. Elizabethtown is the only one in Lancaster County.

A congratulatory letter from the governor noted that this PEDA grant was one of the most competitive ever and noted that the College's project emulates the vision of the project. "We are supporting a more diverse and robust energy sector that protects our environment and uses our resources more efficiently," said Gov. Corbett. "These grants will help organizations harness alternative and renewable energy to increase energy efficiency throughout Pennsylvania."

"Elizabethtown College and Clean Energy: Utilizing a Solar Array to Lower Energy Costs, Enhance Sustainability Efforts, and Expand Research and Education," is a partnership with Stone House Group-a facilities and energy management consulting firm-and a solar provider, to be determined.

The solar array is planned for installation on 33.2 acres owned by the College in Mount Joy Township. The land, currently utilized by a farmer, has been approved for zoning by the Township and actions the College needs to take have been outlined.

In addition to building the array, the College's $500,000 grant also will be used to increase opportunities for students and faculty members to study the effective implementation of solar energy projects, the cost-savings of such projects and scientific monitoring of the solar energy harvest.

In its quest to provide students with strong experiential learning opportunities, this project has a component designed to generate ongoing opportunities for students and faculty members from departments across campus to conduct research on solar energy. This project provides data that can be analyzed in courses throughout the year and also as larger summer research projects undertaken as part of the College's Summer Scholarship, Creative Arts and Research Projects Program.

"One of the signature curriculum components at Elizabethtown College is the ABET accredited Engineering Program that includes a Sustainable Design concentration," said Dr. Michael Scanlin, professor of geosciences and engineering and the Engineering & Physics Department chair. "That concentration is focused on green engineering principles and explores the design and analysis of solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. The 2-megawatt PV system would greatly enhance student experience by providing real world learning opportunities not only through student-faculty research but also as a means to promote student and community alternative energy education and awareness."

Rick Basom, executive director of the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunities this grant offers. "This is a great way to acknowledge the College's commitment to sustainability and at the same time employ one of its signature learning experiences-undergraduate research in a real world learning opportunity," he said. "Our students and faculty always thrive in this type of learning environment."

Elizabethtown College estimates that 20 percent of its electricity needs will be met through energy harvested from the solar array. As solar energy is 100-percent emission-free, this will lower the campus' carbon footprint.

E-town has a longstanding history of strong stewardship of resources and a commitment to reflecting best practices in the management of its facilities and grounds. Past Growing Greener grants helped create an educational trail for builders and others interested in exploring best water-management practices for storm water. The College will continue these efforts and serve as a resource for those in our region interested in pursuing solar energy projects.

PEDA is an independent public financing authority created in 1982 by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and the Emergency Powers Act. The authority's mission is to finance clean, advanced energy projects in Pennsylvania.

Elizabethtown College, located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Learn more: http://www.etown.edu/about/

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Harvey

Communications Manager

Marketing and Communications

Elizabethtown College

harveye@etown.edu

717-361-6412 (o)

717-371-2631 (c)

Map and Directions