Towson U Pilots Solar Charging Stations

Maryland's Towson University is the first to pilot new outdoor solar charging technology from CarrierClass Green Infrastructure. The university will use the ConnecTable Solar Charging Station at various locations around campus, allowing students to plug in cell phones, iPads and other mobile devices outside.

"Our hope is to make it easy to charge a range of devices conveniently and energy-efficiently," said Steve Kolb, energy manager for the university, in a press release.

The stations are available in café, picnic and deck table models. Solar photovoltaic panels provide both shade and power. Multiple tables can be combined to form a micro grid and a backup power source during extended power outages.

Following the pilot, universities will have the option to purchase customized tables with their own graphics and colors.

Qualifying organizations may be eligible for low interest financing of the tables through the Sustainable Energy Fund. The tables qualify for the 30 percent investment tax credit offered to businesses that install solar. Universities can also use designated green funds to purchase tables.

For more information, visit the CarrierClass Green Infrastructure site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • interconnected cloud icons with glowing lines on a gradient blue backdrop

    Report: Cloud Certifications Bring Biggest Salary Payoff

    It pays to be conversant in cloud, according to a new study from Skillsoft The company's annual IT skills and salary survey report found that the top three certifications resulting in the highest payoffs salarywise are for skills in the cloud, specifically related to Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Nutanix.

  • a hobbyist in casual clothes holds a hammer and a toolbox, building a DIY structure that symbolizes an AI model

    Ditch the DIY Approach to AI on Campus

    Institutions that do not adopt AI will quickly fall behind. The question is, how can colleges and universities do this systematically, securely, cost-effectively, and efficiently?

  • minimalist geometric grid pattern of blue, gray, and white squares and rectangles

    Windows Server 2025 Release Offers Cloud, Security, and AI Capabilities

    Microsoft has announced the general availability of Windows Server 2025. The release will enable organizations to deploy applications on-premises, in hybrid setups, or fully in the cloud, the company said.

  • digital brain made of blue circuitry on the left and a shield with a glowing lock on the right, set against a dark background with fading binary code

    AI Dominates Key Technologies and Practices in Cybersecurity and Privacy

    AI governance, AI-enabled workforce expansion, and AI-supported cybersecurity training are three of the six key technologies and practices anticipated to have a significant impact on the future of cybersecurity and privacy in higher education, according to the latest Cybersecurity and Privacy edition of the Educause Horizon Report.