21 June 2019
EBSCO Information Services has awarded three $100,000 grants through the EBSCO Solar Grant programme. The 2019 winners are Hedgesville Public Library, New Port Richey Public Library and Medicine Hat College. The $100,000 grants will offset the cost of installing solar panels and allow the libraries to reduce their electricity expenditure.
Hedgesville Public Library in Hedgesville, West Virginia, is part of Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries. The library will install solar panels on its roof to demonstrate an alternate energy solution. The money saved by the installation will free up library funds to provide additional materials, programming and services for the entire Berkeley County community.
New Port Richey Public Library in New Port Richey, Florida is approaching its centennial anniversary and is looking to rebrand and renovate as a green library. Its goal is to communicate the importance of sustainability to residents and surrounding communities.
Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, has recently embarked on several projects in the renewable energy sector with the intent of providing students, faculty and the community an opportunity to learn about emerging technologies. Currently, the post-secondary institution has a micro grid at its Medicine Hat campus that includes an electric vehicle charging station, solar panels and wind turbines. The EBSCO grant will allow Medicine Hat College to expand its investment and continue its research into renewables at the Brooks campus.