They had a great big ribbon-cutting at Medway High School recently, with “Project Green,” the school’s environment club, running the show. Last year, the student who created Project Green, Erin Espinosa, suggested a solar power project to the school’s principal, Richard Pearson, who thought it was a great idea.
The result of their efforts is a 132 kilowatt photovoltaic installation on the school’s gym and auditorium roofs, made possible by a grant from MassCEC and the unanimous support of Medway Town Meeting. You can watch how the panels are doing here: http://siteapp.fatspaniel.net/siteapp/simpleView.jsf?eid=411539 – with all this sunny summer weather, they’ve been going strong!
This project will provide 10 percent of the school’s power, and is expected to save the school $15,000 per year on its electricity bills. Governor Patrick told the students, "You have power: Power to shape your future and to shape your community."
Written By:
As Deputy Director of DOER's Green Communities Division, Lisa helps lead a team devoted to working with Massachusetts cities and towns to realize environmental and cost benefits of municipal energy efficiency and renewable energy. Prior to joining DOER, Lisa worked in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs from 2007 to 2012, first as Press Secretary and then as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Public Affairs. Her previous communications and public relations experience includes both government and the private sector, where, as principal of upWrite Communications, she served clients such as The Trustees of Reservations, The Nature Conservancy, and Partners Health Care/North Shore Medical Center. She began her career as a journalist, covering Beacon Hill for the State House News Service, and later wrote for a variety of other publications including The Boston Globe, Teacher Magazine, Animals Magazine, and The Gulf of Maine Times. The author of two books, Lisa serves on the board of the Saugus River Watershed Council and resides with her family in Melrose.
Congratulations on Project Green! I am impressed with this project and sincerely hope that you will be an example to other facilities who will consider an Green Energy project such as the one that you have in progress. Keep up the Good Work on Going Green!