For Immediate Release
April 1, 2026

Suffolk County Community College’s Renewable Energy/STEM Center Receives LEED Gold Certification

Suffolk County Community College’s Renewable Energy/STEM Center on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood was recently awarded LEED Gold Certification. For a hi-res image, visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/g5ocdLYFJpaX9K2YA

The Renewable Energy/STEM Center on Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood was recently awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This marks the college’s second building to achieve LEED Gold certification.

The Renewable Energy/STEM Center is the first net zero energy building for Suffolk County Community College, showcasing the advantages of renewable energy and sustainability. Embracing the three main points of the sustainability triangle: economic, environmental, and social, this building serves as an ambassador of sustainability to the school; a foresighted endeavor to improve lives in the community.

The Renewable Energy/STEM Center is a compact, 26,000-square-foot building designed to maximize natural light and sustainability. Featuring a full roof of photovoltaic panels, insulating berms, geothermal wells and a central demonstration garden, it serves as a teaching facility for renewable energy systems and sustainability principles.

Prioritizing a reduced footprint and optimized roof geometry, the building adheres to Passivhaus standards with R-40 insulation and U-0.15 glazing for superior thermal performance. Strategic features, such as solar shades and daylight sensors, minimize artificial lighting needs, while a Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC system paired with a Ground Source Heat Pump ensures energy-efficient ventilation.  The architect/designer for this building was AECOM.

As a “net zero” energy building with LEED Gold Certification, the Center emphasizes indoor environmental quality and integrates passive and active building systems. It functions as a living laboratory, fostering innovation and collaboration, making it a vital resource for preparing students for future academic and career opportunities. The Renewable Energy/STEM Center is more than a building; it’s a creative hub for learning and exploration.

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.