American Public University System (APUS) is celebrating another milestone in its journey toward achieving greater sustainability – the official opening of its 1,660 panel solar array.  The array is the largest in West Virginia and is a testament to the school’s commitment to sustainability. Providing more than 480,000 kWh of electricity, the array will provide approximately 50 percent of the total energy needed to power the university’s newest addition to its Charles Town campus, a 105,000-square-foot green building still under construction. To provide some perspective, that is enough energy to power 30 average size homes for a year.  The array doubles as a covered parking lot and will include 15 universal electric car charging stations. 

Experts note that every hour the sun beams enough energy to Earth to satisfy the world’s energy needs for a full year.  Solar energy is an inexhaustible source and is touted as being non-polluting.  Despite these facts, solar power represents a meager one-tenth of one percent of the world’s energy sources.  In the United States, where 5 percent of the world’s population uses 20 percent of the world’s total energy, solar energy currently provides less than 1 percent of our energy.  Many other countries are leading the solar charge, however, and global demand for solar energy has increased more than 30 percent over the last 20 years.  Germany and Japan, for example, have developed extensive incentive programs and are leading the way in use of solar energy.  Despite the relatively low use of solar energy in the United States, the nation is beginning to slowly see use of solar power increase. 

Located in historic downtown Charles Town, West Virginia, APUS has always been mindful of its geographic location and the community’s long history.  In designing their campus, the school has used an innovative strategy mixing historical preservation with energy efficiency and sustainability.  The school’s adaptive reuse practices have reclaimed many historic buildings in the downtown Charles Town area which otherwise were vacant and often neglected.  The school’s solar array, on the other hand, embodies the innovative and forward-thinking spirit of this fully online university.  With more than 100,000 students located in and studying from all 50 states and more than 100 countries around the world, APUS has been a cutting-edge leader in the education industry.  It is fitting for that reason that it also plays a leading role in the innovation of the American energy landscape. 

The APUS solar array clearly represents the school’s commitment to the environment.  In addition, it is also representative of the school’s commitment to its more than 100,000 students, its local community, and the nation.  Nearly all of APUS’ students are adult learners, most juggling fulltime jobs, families, and often military deployments as well.  The APUS solar array is evidence of the school’s “lead by example” mentality.  In developing such a project, the school’s students will have a tangible learning tool that will serve them well as they take their degrees into the workforce to create additional positive change toward promoting sustainability.  The array is also a benefit to the community and APUS will continue as it has been to educate the local community about the array, solar power in general, and how others can invest in such technologies.  On a national level, the APUS solar array is another step in the right direction toward promoting more sustainable energy sources and breaking the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Check out this timelapse video showing the panel installation.

In Part 2 of our series, Tatiana Sehring, Strategic Manager Environmental Leadership and Sustainability, gives us 5 quick, easy ways that we can minimize our environmental impact in the office.  As we celebrate Earth Day tomorrow, the world will turn its focus to issues related to the state of our environment.  With Tatiana’s suggestions, however, we can carry the spirit of Earth Day past tomorrow and integrate sustainable practices into our daily lives throughout the year.  Happy Earth Day!

With Earth Day right around the corner, many of us are thinking of ways that we can lead more sustainable lifestyles.  If you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, check out the podcast below.  We interviewed Tatiana Sehring, Strategic Manager Environmental Leadership and Sustainability at American Public University System (APUS) about how we can live more environmentally-friendly lifestyles.  This is Part 1 of a two-part Earth Day special focused on tangible actions we can each take to reduce our environmental impact.

Three Ways To Reduce Your Impact on the Environment by APUS

by Jennifer Lefebvre

I recently read a great quick-reference guide called the green book by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen.  It is filled with hundreds of little ideas that we all can do to make significant, positive impacts on our planet’s health.  For this article, I’d like to highlight one of the sections I thought was interesting and informative:  How to green your home, one room at a time.

The Kitchen
Composting.  Place fruits and vegetable scraps, as well as coffee grounds in a container or composter and add them to your garden.  These items are food for your plants, they help to recycle valuable nutrients, and save space in the landfills.  You can also save water by not running your garbage disposal, just by composting the items you would normally send down the drain.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that yard trimmings and food scraps constitute 26 percent of the United States municipal solid waste in the landfills.  For additional information on composting please see the recent American Public University System (APUS) Sustainability blog article by Allison Knox on Composting in the Workplace and at Home.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Ashley Adams

American Public University Systems’ (APUS) President, Wallace Boston, signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in September of 2007. As part of the requirements for the Commitment, APUS has established an Institutional Structure.  The ACUPCC states that this structure can be a committee, taskforce, council or other body that will implement the terms of the commitment.

Initially, APUS’ institutional structure included the University’s President and Director of Facilities.  As the institution has moved toward achieving the specific goals set out in the Commitment, it has evolved into a committee, known as the APUS Sustainability Committee, with two co-chairs, both of whom work in the Office of the President, and 18 staff members.  A presentation at a university-wide staff meeting reached out to those interested in helping achieve the goals of the ACUPCC.  The volunteers represent many of APUS’ departments bringing diverse perspectives to APUS’ ACUPCC initiatives.

APUS has two locations, one in Manassas, Virginia and one in Charles Town, West Virginia.  Within these two locations there are 14 different buildings or suites.  Having a group that represents the various locations was very important when creating the Sustainability Committee in order to ensure that each portion of the campus was represented.  The committee’s volunteers are equally representative of both APUS campuses in Virginia and West Virginia. As a 100 percent online institution APUS is very adept at using current technologies to bring individuals from different areas together into one meeting space without requiring travel.  Through the use of such technologies, APUS’ Sustainability Committee is able to hold meetings in which all members can participate without having to travel to do so. 

Read the rest of this entry »