Energy Initiatives | News

Harvard Adds 600 kW Rooftop Solar Array

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 06/18/12

Source: Jon Chase, Harvard staff photographer

As part of its goal to decrease institutional energy usage by 30 percent in the 10 years between 2006 and 2016, Harvard University has just installed the largest solar project on campus. Working with Borrego Solar Systems, the university placed 2,275 solar photovoltaic panels on an acre and a half of roof space on the Gordon Indoor Track and Tennis Building. The project took six weeks and is expected to generate about 590 kilowatts of electricity.

The electricity produced will be delivered to the university's own electrical grid. The project is expected to pay for itself within six to 10 years. Borrego specializes in building solar projects for commercial and public sector organizations.

Harvard's three-minute time-lapse video of the latest installation.

While this is the largest energy generation project undertaken by Harvard, over the last several years, the university has implemented numerous other initiatives to reduce or create energy through alternative means. In 2009 a solar installation that generates up to 501 kilowatts went on top of a retail center owned by the university. A 2010 solar thermal and steam heat recovery system was put in on top of other facilities to generate the majority of domestic hot water for buildings in Harvard Yard.

Other solar projects have been placed on additional rooftops throughout campus.