Harvard Business School

Overview
Project: Harvard Business School
Location: Boston, MA
Installer: Solect Energy
Date Commissioned: October 2013
System Size: 320 modules
Module Manufacturer: ET Solar
Array Capacity: 80 kW

In attempts to reduce greenhouse gases 30 percent by 2016, Harvard University made some steady progress by installing solar panels on the business school’s new executive education facility, Tata Hall. This project is the newest addition to Harvard’s sustainability and renewable energy projects, which have contributed to a 62 percent recycling rate, 23 percent reduction in energy use and 43 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The completion of the Tata Hall PV array is also the second at the Harvard Business School.

Massachusetts-based solar energy company Solect Energy Development, LLC installed the 80 kW project using 320 AC modules from ET Solar, powered by SolarBridge Pantheon II microinverters. Tata Hall, which comprises of three high-rise, flat-roof buildings that are taller than any surrounding buildings, presented a few challenging obstacles with unfavorable elements of wind and shade. However, ACPV served as the perfect solution with its ability to maximize the output of each solar panel, increase system-up time and reduce operations and maintenance expenses.

The Harvard facilities team chose ACPV over DC-based systems because of its ability to maximize the output of each solar panel, regardless of shade or inevitable cloudy days. Had they chose DC-based systems using string inverters, shade from roof structures and equipment would compromise the power output of the entire string of modules. In addition, ACPV was selected to increase system up-time and reduce operations and maintenance expenses by eliminating any single point of failure in the system.

With the ease of a web-based monitoring system, the facilities staff can keep track of the ACPV system production at any time and place for each individual module. Occupants of the building can observe how much energy each solar array is producing at any given moment.

“Solect is very excited to help Harvard’s Business School achieve platinum LEED certification on the Tata project,” says Scott Howe, Partner at Solect Energy. “The project’s complexity included a multi-tiered roof with many mechanical units and attachments resulting in shading on various parts of the arrays throughout the day. The AC solar panel solution was an ideal fit to deliver maximum system production and efficiency. ”

“Solar is an excellent investment for universities, which are under increasing pressure to reduce costs as well as energy consumption,” said Bill Mulligan, president and CEO of SolarBridge Technologies. “When an institution with the prestige and longevity of Harvard Business School chooses ACPV for its solar projects, significant long-term financial and environmental benefits have been demonstrated.”