By Bella Grimaldi
Asst. News Editor
The construction of solar panel canopies at the Salem End Lot is projected to finish by April 6, according to Ann Martin, capital projects manager.
Students were notified through an email from the Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD) on Jan. 17.
The email notified students of limited parking in the Salem End Lot. According to the email, there is no shuttle running to the Salem End Lot for the Spring 2025 semester.
According to the email, the Union Lot is open to commuter students, freshmen, and overflow from the Maynard Road Lot.
Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE) students are authorized to park in the Maple, Salem End, and Athletic lots.
According to Martin, approximately 80 parking spaces have been taken up by the construction.
“Parking was affected in the last few weeks. … We hope to return it to full parking April 6,” said Martin.
The solar panel project is an element of the University’s Climate Action Plan. The project has been in the works for approximately two years with construction beginning in Summer 2024 with a break taking place when Fall semester classes were in session, according to Martin.
Martin said two of the three solar panel canopies have been constructed.
The solar panel canopy system is designed to produce 711.8 kilowatts of energy, according to Martin.
She said, “The cost [of the project] is borne by the contractor, so they own the solar canopy. They just lease it to be on the land.”
This project was funded by a $400,000 Leading by Example grant through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
“I don't think it’s going to save any costs - it's just going to give us the opportunity to contribute to the decarbonization efforts by purchasing the solar-generated electricity,” she said.
“We typically would purchase the power from Eversource, which is our local provider, and now, we will purchase this power from Select,” said Martin.
The decision to site the project on the Salem End Lot resulted from a negotiation among the University, the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA), and the City of Framingham.
Martin said, “It's a series of negotiations and getting the funding for FSU to have the project here. We have to coordinate that through the MSCBA because they own the lot. In addition, there are memorandums of understanding that go on between the city and the University to be allowed to put a canopy” on the land.
While construction was taking place, four EV charging stations were added as part of the plan, according to Martin.
Martin added there will be a new bus shelter installed in the spring. This bus shelter will be placed in the corner area on the side of canopy three.
She said, “That is where they pick up students now. … It'll be small, but at least it'll be something.”
Junior Lilian Hall said she likes what the University has done with the Salem End Lot.
“I think we need more green initiatives in general, as a world, and doing it on campus is a great thing,” said Hall.
Freshman Elizabeth Rivers said it seems as if construction on the Salem End Lot has proceeded quickly.
She added the solar panel project “is a smart idea, and I think it’s a good investment.”
Freshman Jizaiah Candelario said, “I think they’re doing just enough and it’s good.”
Junior Amoy Murphy said she hadn’t noticed the construction.
“Luckily, it hasn’t interfered with campus life as much as other construction,” said Murphy.
She added, “With everything going on right now, I think it’s good to do what we can here and there.”