Success Story: Collaboration illuminates green energy solutions

December 6, 2017

Solar trailer photoCommuters hurrying home along Eighth Street these dark evenings will find a bright spot, thanks to a collaboration between NMC and Roost.

NMC’s solar power trailer is lighting up the Roost prefabricated tiny home located at 444 E. Eighth, opposite Family Video. The home is illuminated from 5–8 p.m. nightly.

The collaboration is designed to show what’s possible with solar energy, said NMC construction technology adjunct instructor Mike Schmerl.

 “It does work, in northern Michigan, in the winter,” said Schmerl.

Solar homeAnd it’s ideal for Roost, said Geoff Nelson, a co-founder of the company that created the 370-square-foot, finish-ready home that’s occupied the former vacant lot since June.

“There’s a great many people who want to live smaller, greener,” Nelson said. Roost’s other green features include renewable materials, a sustainable building process and tight building envelope to maximize energy efficiency.

Parked on the home’s west side with its solar panels tilted south, the trailer is only illuminating the home, not heating it or powering appliances. Still, it kick-starts consideration of solar, said Schmerl, whose own Traverse City home is 50 percent solar-powered.

“All things are possible,” Schmerl said. “What we demonstrate is expandability.”

NMC first developed the solar trailer in 2006. Schmerl updated it for the Roost project using equipment sold to the college at a discount.

“The technology has become more user-friendly, easier to understand, and more adaptable to people’s power requirements,” said Schmerl. “Using that trailer and our classroom skill set, we can adapt to almost any inquiries.”

As electric cars become more prevalent, Schmerl sees more opportunity for solar growth. The website Charge Hub lists 26 public charging stations in Traverse City, including at the Cambria Suites hotel, the original Meijer parking lot, and the Old Towne parking deck just down the street from Roost.

“Why wouldn’t they package the sale of an electric vehicle with the sale of the charging equipment, which would lead to the sale of the solar,” he said.

Nelson agreed that he’s seeing interest increase among all kinds of clients, from millennials to boomers.

“It’s been super encouraging to see the people responding to living smaller, greener, low-maintenance,” he said.

Health Service Holiday Hours

Health Services will be closed from December 16 and reopen January 8 at 9 a.m. If you need refills, please call (231) 995-1255 to schedule an appointment before December 12.

For emergencies call 911, or proceed to the following medical centers:

  • MCHC, 550 Munson Ave – 935-8686
  • Bayside Docs, 501 Munson Ave – 933-9150
  • The Walk-In Clinic, US 31 South – 929-1234
  • Munson Medical Center, 1105 6th St – 935-5000

New! Custom Order NMC Apparel

The bookstore is excited to announce a custom NMC apparel section on the bookstore website! Check out our new selection here. Choose your style, color, and size; submit your order, and we’ll contact you when it arrives! Custom orders will take approximately 2-3 weeks; all pieces will be embroidered with the NMC classic logo. New pieces and styles will be added regularly – check back often for new apparel!

And…Don’t forget! NMC employees get 10% off NMC products at the bookstore; use the coupon code HAWKOWLS for a 10% discount on any NMC items on the website! 

Questions? Contact Sarah at smavis@nmc.edu or 5-1288.