SEIA Resources
Case Studies
SEIA produces a variety of research and other supporting resources for the solar industry, ranging from full reports to short factsheets. Below is a list of our case studies, organized by date. For a full library of research and resources, click here.
CASE STUDY: FENWAY PARK
To enhance Boston’s clean energy output, Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, went solar May 19, 2008. City officials hired groSolar, a solar installer company based in White River Junction, Vt., to install a solar water heating system on the roof of Fenway Park. GroSolar partnered with Heliodyne, a solar water heating panel manufacturer, to complete the installation. The Boston Red Sox is the first Major League Baseball team to use a solar water heating system at their ballpark.
CASE STUDY: ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE
South Dakota’s historic Ellsworth Air Force Base is looking toward the future with a new solar water heating system. Two Piedmont companies partnered to construct the energy system, which was completed in May 2011. Panel procurement and overall design was handled by GenPro Energy Solutions, while Power Plus Electric installed the system and will continue to operate and manage the system.
CASE STUDY: EAGLE-VAIL COMMUNITY POOL
The town of Eagle-Vail, Colorado recently opened a community pool heated with 54 solar panels installed by Capitol Solar Energy and manufactured by UMA Solar. Seventeen year-round glazed and insulated flat-plate solar thermal panels heat the pool during winter to prevent freezing; 37 un-glazed, un-insulated panels increase heating power throughout the rest of the year when the pool is in use.
CASE STUDY: COVINGTON CITY HALL
The city of Covington, Georgia recently installed a solar water heating and photovoltaic system on the Covington City Hall. Not only will the system save the city money, but will also educate the public about the myriad of benefits from solar water heating and photovoltaics. Flat-plate solar water heating collectors manufactured by Alternate Energy Technologies were installed on the roof of City Hall by Suncatcher of Atlanta. The collectors absorb the thermal energy from the sun, which heats up a propylene glycol mix.
CASE STUDY: COLLEGE OF MARIN
In an effort to attain LEED Gold certification, the College of Marin in Kentfield, California recently incorporated solar water heating into a major renovation of its Diamond Physical Education Center. SunWater Solar installed 89 Heliodyne GOBI 410 collectors which will provide warm water for two major public swimming pools. The two pools hold a total of 295,000 gallons of water.
CASE STUDY: CAMP LEJEUNE
The largest residential solar water heating project in the United States was completed in 2011 at Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. FLS Energy and Atlantic Marine Corps Communities, which develops and manages base housing for the Marines, installed 2,200 solar water heating systems on military base houses during 2010 and 2011. Each house was fitted with one panel that will heat 45-50 gallons of hot water per day, approximately three-quarters of a family’s hot water needs. The project is expected to be a model for military bases across the country.
CASE STUDY: BIG AL’S BREWERY
To cut energy costs, improve efficiency and grow their business, owners Alejandro and Noelle Brown of Big Al’s Brewery hired locally based Net Zero Impact to install a solar water heating system. It’s no surprise that brewing beer requires large volumes of hot water. At Big Al’s, a natural-gas fired kettle had to be left on all night to heat the water for brewing the next day. Now, thanks to two solar water heating tanks, evacuated tube collectors, and a high efficiency boiler, the hot water can be produced in about an hour.
CASE STUDY: BENEDICTINE HOSPITAL
To help offset the extensive energy use of the hospital, the Hudson Valley Heath Alliance announced the completion of New York’s first solar energy powered hospital, Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, NY. Organized by The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) and installed by EarthKind Solar, the 28 solar water heating collectors are used to heat water used throughout the hospital. The solar water heating system also reduces carbon emissions from the hospital. Congressman Hinchey (D-NY) helped TSEC receive federal grants totaling $428,000 to help the hospital fund the project.
CASE STUDY: BARD COLLEGE SOLAR HEATING PROJECT
CASE STUDY: BARD COLLEGE SOLAR HEATING PROJECT