Solar Thermal at Harvard
Harvard began installing solar thermal hot water systems in 2008. For more information on what solar thermal is, please look at our information page.
3 Sacramento Street (FAS)
The solar thermal hot water system was installed on 3 Sacramento Street, an FAS undergraduate co-op dorm, in June 2008. The project was funded as a prize for HGCI’s 2007 Sustainability Pledge. For each person that took the pledge, $1.50 was put in a fund for an on-campus renewable energy system and 3 Sacramento’s solar thermal system won the funding. The 2 flat plate panels will provide at least 20% of the hot water used by the 20 students who live in the co-op.
46 Blackstone Street (UOS)
UOS will be installing six panel solar thermal hot water system on the 46 Blackstone street complex. The system will supply hot water to both Blackstone North and Blackstone South (a LEED Platinum building) via an underground pipe. The office buildings have multiple showers which will be serviced by the solar thermal system. The system will be installed in summer 2008, and once installed, tours can be arranged. The system was installed to not only reduce the buildings’ electricity use, but also to be an educational showpiece.