As a commercial solar installer, we build sustainable infrastructure for a wide range of industries—from boat manufacturers to mosques and municipal departments—each project offering unique lessons. But as a lifelong theater enthusiast, I was particularly excited to collaborate on a rooftop solar initiative at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T) Scene Shop.
This creative hub—where props and sets for productions like The Great Gatsby and Romeo and Juliet take shape before moving to the nearby Loeb Drama Center—now stands as a beacon for renewable energy at universities.
Harvard’s Commitment to Sustainability
Harvard University has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to educating the world on environmental impact through its Office of Sustainability, the Sustainability Science Program, and the Harvard Sustainability Master’s Degree. Universities around the world are embracing sustainable infrastructure, and Harvard is no exception. Several campus buildings have already installed rooftop solar and geothermal systems, reducing the university’s carbon footprint and offsetting electricity usage. These on-campus projects are complemented by larger-scale renewable energy initiatives that extend Harvard’s impact beyond its grounds.
Earlier this year, the 200-megawatt Big Elm Solar project—which Harvard developed in collaboration with Mass General Brigham and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—came online in Texas, supplying clean energy to the region. Additionally, the 208-megawatt Bowman Wind project is slated for completion in 2026. These initiatives are key to Harvard’s ambitious goals of achieving fossil fuel neutrality by 2026 and becoming completely fossil fuel-free by 2050.
Image: Source – Commercial Solar Guy, Harvard Rooftop Solar from afar
A Seamless Solar Energy Project
The first step in constructing the A.R.T. Scene Shop solar array was securing interconnection approval from the local power company – Eversource, a process that typically takes three months to several years if complications arise. Fortunately, our application was approved very rapidly, just 44 days after initial submission.
The project benefited from a few ideal conditions:
- A spacious rooftop with no significant shadows.
- A short wire run from the roof to the electrical connection.
- Robust structural support to handle the solar equipment.
The result? A 290.08 kW system with 592 high-efficiency solar panels, spanning 8,000 square feet. The system will generate an estimated 364,362 kWh annually—enough to completely offset the building’s electricity usage and cover the needs of at least four additional Harvard facilities.
With electricity costs in Cambridge ranging from 25-30 cents per kWh, the system is projected to save Harvard approximately $100,000 annually in operational costs.
Sustainable Infrastructure Means High-Quality Components for Long-Term Success
To ensure reliability and performance, we use only top-tier equipment:
- Solar Panels: 490-watt modules manufactured by QCells.
- Inverters: Five SMA Sunny Tri-Power CORE1-US inverters (four 50 kW and one 25 kW).
- Racking System: Unirac’s Ecofoot 5D system.
These high-quality components were selected not only for their proven performance but also for meeting UL3741 certification standards. This certification eliminates the need for rooftop rapid shutdown hardware on individual solar panels, provided the inverters, modules, racking, and wiring are installed in specific configurations. By reducing the number of hardware components and unique wire connections—each of which represents a potential point of failure—we enhanced the system’s overall reliability and longevity.
The system also includes the SMA Data Manager M, which enables real-time energy generation monitoring and offers insights into the system’s performance and efficiency.
We used a factory-assembled wire harness to streamline the installation process. By pre-mapping wire run paths and delivering them ready to use, we minimized the need for on-site cutting and clipping of wires. This approach not only reduces labor, but also improves the quality and consistency of the connections, reducing potential issues over time.
This cutting-edge rooftop solar energy system underscores Harvard’s leadership in merging innovation with environmental stewardship, advancing both the university’s sustainability goals and Massachusetts’ broader push for net-zero emissions by 2050. By offsetting energy costs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and powering multiple campus facilities, projects like the A.R.T. Scene Shop exemplify how institutions can drive meaningful progress—both locally and globally.
Enjoy the video below—it’s a stunning drone flyover of Harvard’s new solar roof in action—a visual testament to how clean energy and creativity can coexist beautifully.
Are you considering a solar installation for your organization, campus, or business? Whether you’re exploring ground mount or rooftop solar, navigating interconnection approvals, or simply want to assess your facility’s solar potential, feel free to contact us today. Our team will provide a tailored feasibility analysis, guide you through incentive opportunities, and incorporate sustainable infrastructure that aligns with your energy goals—and your budget.