Science Doesn't Give Up On Solar

After the 2021 Annual Meeting, some neighbors approached me to share a story about solar expectations.

Back in the 1980's the renowned Carey Arboretum installed solar panels, they said, and after a couple years the heat that was generated by those solar panels made the roof warp. Hence, the institution had to take all the panels off. Replace the roof. It didn't quite work out as the arboretum had planned.

The cautionary tale intrigued me, so I looked it up.

The then-named Cary Arboretum is a field research branch of the New York Botanical Garden. In a March 1976 newsletter, Cary Arboretum announced its new Research and Administration Building would emphasize "our fundamental commitment to environmental responsibility."

The power of the sun was integral to their vision, as they anticipated seven large glass solar collectors warming a solution of water and antifreeze. "The fluid, warmed by the sun, will convey its heat through a heat exchanger to two insulated tanks in the basement for release through the building's heat and hot water systems."

Dan Brown, Manager of Capital Projects, coordinated all aspects of construction, and in May 1978 the facility opened. At the time, the solar hot water heater was deemed an experiment in modern energy conservation.

Five years later, a New York Times headline announced the system's demise: "UPSTATE ARBORETUM GIVES UP ON SOLAR HEATING."

The solar energy system was dismantled because it generated more energy in the summer than it could dissipate, and maintenance costs were time-consuming and expensive.

The dynamic system required constant vigilance, per Winfried U. Schubert, coordinator of operations. He cited the high cost of replacing the antifreeze when the system was flushed, replacing fiberglass connectors, major repairs of waterproofing membranes and storage tanks, replacing water pipes that froze during the winter, and damage to insulation near water tanks.

In capturing energy, the solar panels were a victim of their own success. 'We got too much heat in the summer and we had to expend energy to dissipate the heat,'' said James M. Hester, president of the Botanical Garden.

A consultant concluded, "Not only was there no use for the energy collected during the summer, but the arboretum had to pay to get rid of it...This does not show that solar energy doesn't work. It shows that solar energy works all too well."

''We conducted a scientific experiment,'' said Dr. James M. Hester, president of the Botanical Garden, ''and part of the experiment did not work out.''

Fast forward to today.

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, as it is now known, is expanding again. It's current capital campaign notes, "In 1976, our headquarters was lauded for forward-thinking design and energy efficiency. The [current] $13 million renovation plan creates a space that propels us to our goal of being carbon neutral, and lets us continue to lead the way on sustainable design."

The original hot water system was a good experiment, as the scientists observed, tested, and analyzed solar energy systems in the late 70's and early 80's. Did the Cary Institute give up on solar?

Quite the opposite. They learned passive energy collection is more efficient and valuable than the dynamic 1970's system that circulated a liquid. Instead of shrinking their solar energy commitment, the Cary Institute has since expanded it vastly on their campus.

For the 2021 renovation the Cary Institute writes, "Currently, the solar array in the Bacon Triangle meets 100% of our energy needs. Adding solar in the future would happen only if our energy needs exceed that generated by the existing array."

Thanks go to the homeowners who kindly introduced me to this story.