This new EV charging station at St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vt. is partially powered by a solar array on a nearby building. [Photo Credit: Green Mountain Power]

Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. recently joined a growing number of U.S. colleges and universities plugging into solar-charged driving.

Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Saint Michael's have worked together to build a public electric-vehicle (EV) charging station located on Saint Michael's campus. The station will be paired with a solar photovoltaic system placed atop the college’s Klein Center.

"Not only is this an important step to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, but it demonstrates how renewable energy fits in with new technologies to displace carbon emissions, particularly from transportation," said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power

EV drivers will be able to charge their cars at St. Michael’s new EV + PV charging station for free for the first year.

The Coulomb Technologies CT2100 Chargepoint charging station is compatible with all plug-in vehicles available on the market. It provides features such as online and smart-phone directions and reservations, and driver notifications of charge status.

The system will also provide feedback so that GMP can better understand how EV drivers use charging stations.

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