Green Initiatives Hallmark of Cape May County Campus

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Since opening in 2005, Atlantic Cape Community College’s Cape May County Campus has actively pursued green and energy-saving programs and technologies. In the last 10 years, the Cape May Court House campus has implemented numerous initiatives to meet the goal of being an environmentally conscious community partner. Projects include solar carport arrays, graywater irrigation, water bottle refilling stations, habitat restoration and window film that decrease energy use.
The most visible initiative was the addition of more than 2,000 solar carport panels, which were installed in 2013 at the Cape May County Campus and in three parking lots at Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing Campus. The 2.2 megawatt solar photovoltaic system generates nearly 50 percent of the college’s total annual electric consumption, at a set rate, independent of market rates. Through this agreement, Atlantic Cape realized savings of nearly $100,000 the first year and will see up to $2 million over the 15-year life of the contract. The electricity generated per year is equivalent to the amount needed to power approximately 220 homes. Marina Energy LLC, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, designed and constructed the project.
“The solar energy initiative at Atlantic Cape is an example of using innovative strategies to promote energy sustainability as a key step in fulfilling our institutional commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Dr. Peter L. Mora, president.
A second major initiative completed earlier this year was the placement of CollidEscape window treatments to the rear glass wall and front windows at the Cape May County Campus. The treatments are applied to the outside of the glass, and perform the equivalent of 50 percent window tint, blocking half the energy from the sun, and suppressing both infrared and ultraviolet radiation. This reduces the amount of heat absorbed through the windows and glare, creating a more comfortable environment for students and staff, and saves electricity.
Working with Dr. Christine Sheppard of the American Bird Conservancy, Atlantic Cape researched solar window film that would reduce, if not eliminate bird strikes as it blocks ultraviolet rays on the two-story glass wall.
“We have not seen any bird strikes since the installation was completed on the back wall, and we’ve also seen a significant improvement in comfort, glare reduction and solar heat in the first floor lobby,” said Lisa Apel-Gendron, senior campus administrator.
In 2014, the college completed the implementation of the “graywater” project, which allows the campus to use reclaimed water for landscape irrigation. Atlantic Cape entered into an Interlocal Services Agreement in 2007 with the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, Cape May County and Middle Township for the construction, operation and long-term beneficial use of reclaimed wastewater in an effort to be environmentally and economically responsible.
The reuse of treated wastewater supports the importance of protecting New Jersey’s water resources and applies alternative water supply strategies. In Cape May County, it preserves diminishing groundwater resources by reducing the demand on local aquifers.
Other notable green initiatives at the campus include:
• In 2012, Atlantic Cape biology students and staff, along with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, planted beach plum seedlings behind the campus, as part of its Habitat Restoration Plan. Students and staff worked with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to integrate native habitats into the landscape. The college identified a half-acre demonstration area to establish native shrubs and native warm season grasses.
• The college installed water bottle refilling stations in 2014 to cut down the number of plastic bottles that are thrown out every day by allowing students to use refillable water bottles.