An SSU students perspective on campus green energy
By Brielle Laurent
Salem State University has strategically designed sustainable buildings for
more than 20 years, leading them to an impressive present-day campus which
continues to pursue additional renewable energy sources and reduce fossil fuel
emissions for all who live, work and study on campus.
According to the university’s website, there are 7 rooftop solar arrays, 5 LEED certified
buildings, 1 parking garage with a Parksmart Award, and 1 geothermal energy system at the
Berry Library.
In May of 2018, Salem State announced that they had fully divested from all fossil fuels
by withdrawing from their holdings in Carbon 200 companies. They were the only university in
the Multi-School Fossil Free Divestment Fund (MSFFDF) to accomplish this goal, and were
awarded with a $57,000 donation in March of 2019. As a result, the university allocated funds to
begin two annual scholarships for students who demonstrate involvement in climate justice
and/or social justice initiatives and activism.
Salem State University takes pride in its vast array of solar panels, spanning across 7
rooftops on campus, totaling about 415 kW. The solar panels were built in 2022, and are
estimated to eliminate about 7,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and save approximately $1
million in utility bills.
In addition to solar panels, the Berry Library uses a 48-well geothermal system to reduce
demand for energy used to heat and cool the building. The library received LEED Silver status,
earning recognition along with LEED Gold buildings such as Marsh Hall, the Sophia Gordon
Center, and Viking Hall, and LEED building, Atlantic Hall. The North Campus parking garage
has also been recognized for its sustainable qualities with a Parksmart Award.
While Salem State University has clearly implemented several impactful methods for
reducing the carbon footprint of their infrastructure, they remain steadfast in their efforts to
continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The university has a goal of being carbon neutral
by 2050, and is currently working to include more geothermal solutions in other parts of campus
in order to achieve this target. See more about Sustainability at SSU at the website.
Brielle Laurent is SAFE’s Spring Communications Intern.