The most distinctive feature of Dowling Hall is, without a doubt, the large, bronze elephant head that greets all who enter the building. Starting next year, the Jumbo head wont be the only thing attracting attention at Dowling: the university will be installing a new solar panel system with the support of SunBug Solar LLC, based in Somerville.
This is an incredibly important development on the Hill. Tufts not only will be supporting a local business but also will be using more sustainable energy and cutting its conventional power costs. This development is entirely in line with Tufts commitment to green energy and environmental sustainability, as expressed through the Office of Sustainability and University President Anthony Monacos Campus Sustainability Council, and sets a precedent for responsible investment by the administration.
The initiative will also be highly transparent. The solar panels will be monitored for efficiency, and members of the Tufts community will be able to track the real-time benefits of this new system online.
Excitingly, this installation gives students a chance to participate in the Solarize Tufts Challenge. The university is calling on students to create solar-powered charging systems for mobile phones. Tufts will fund the production of the winning submission, which will then be made available for student use across the community. This not only allows students to become socially engaged but also promotes innovation from our community and for the benefit of our community.
The administration should be lauded for its decision to install solar panels and to invest in alternative sources of energy for the university. In addition to providing cheaper and more eco-friendly power, this project also encourages members of the Tufts community to be actively involved in sustainability on the Hill.
Beyond that, if the data reflect a positive change, we can perhaps look forward to Tufts installing more clean energy systems in the future. We can only hope that this system proves effective and the student body will see more sustainable developments on campus in the coming years.
