With the assistance of mechanical engineering student Jason Meyer, the N.C. State Solar House has once again opened to the public for tours.

The house originally closed in July due to state budget cuts but was able to re-open in November with limited hours. The house is currently open to the public for 20 hours every week.

“It was shut down strictly for budget reasons,” Shannon Helm, the communications and outreach manager for the Solar House, said.

The Solar House is operated by the N.C . Solar Center. It features solar electric and solar thermal technologies with a passive solar design. There are also other environmentally friendly materials on the grounds of the house, including a wind turbine.

Helm said while there were no major changes to the technological aspect of the house when it was close, the staff was excited to be able to put a fresh coat of paint inside the house. The paint was donated by the Sherwin Williams store located on Hillsborough Street.

“They’re big supporters of N.C . State and our Solar House,” Helm said.

One of the reasons the house has been able to open is the assistance of Meyer. Meyer heard about the job through a professor he had last semester and decided to apply because he wanted to work on renewable energy.

Meyer currently works at the house 20 hours a week giving tours and answering questions visitors have about the house. He will be graduating in December but is planning on continuing his work at the house until April.

“I give tours, show people the house and try to get new technology and donations for the house,” Meyer said.

Helm said having an engineering student work in the house is beneficial for visitors. The Solar House and N.C . Solar Center are considered a part of the College of Engineering.

“It’s a great match and skill set because he’s an engineer. It’s great to have an engineering student who can really talk about the technology that’s being used,” Helm said.

Meyer said he feels as though being an engineering student has given him an advantage in the job.

“It’s good because I have experience and exposure to the material,” Meyer said.

Helm considers the house to be a route to the public for the University. Many people who visit the house are not students or faculty of the University but just North Carolina citizens who have heard about it and are interested.

“It’s a public face for N.C . State. A lot of people have heard about it and it’s a great way to demonstrate renewable energy,” Helm said.

Madeline Newberry, a junior in communications, said while the Solar House sounds very beneficial, she wishes there was more information about it available on campus.

“N.C . State could definitely do more to inform students about it. They should have student advocates to educate new students about it and maybe [resident assistants] could be encouraged to tell new residents about it, since that’s how most people get their information at first,” Newberry said.

Meyer said the Solar House is a good way to demonstrate technology that is good for the environment.

“The sun is always going to be there and we should try to use it for energy,” Meyer said.

While she does want better advocacy for solar technology, Newberry said it is a positive thing for the campus to perpetuate solar technology.

“It’s great for the environment. It can be kind of expensive but it’s good in the long run if you invest in it,” Newberry said.