Many students were surprised to learn that Sophia Gordon Hall's much-touted solar panels will only produce about two percent of its daytime energy use, according to an architect from the firm that designed it.
"That's all?" sophomore Lauren Gelmetti said. "I don't know that much about them, but I'm surprised as to how little they contribute."
"I feel that Tufts led us on to believe that [the solar panels] play a much bigger role than they actually do," sophomore Jennifer Gerson said.
Nevertheless, Randy Wilmot, project architect of William Rawn Associates, told the Daily that "it's a misnomer that they can generate enough electricity [to run a building]."
Yet, although the solar panels won't contribute much to energy reduction, other aspects of the design make the green-building about 30 percent more efficient than the average building, said Sarah Creighton, program director of the Tufts Climate Initiative (TCI).
Former TCI intern and current senior Amanda Fencl said that there was "a lot of talk [in TCI] about little things that are less glamorous and less noticeable," but which make more of a difference in energy reduction.
Indeed, "the most important measures of energy efficiency are things [people] don't see," Creighton said.
Sophia Gordon is now being rated for certification by Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED), an organization that rates the greenness of buildings. LEED rates buildings as either platinum, gold, silver, or certified. The ratings are based on points awarded in categories of environmentally-friendly features such as resources and materials used.
"We're [probably] going to be silver," Kollmuss said.
Tufts has been striving to become environmentally friendly for years. In 1999, Tufts "pledged to meet or beat Kyoto," Fencl said.
The Kyoto Protocol, introduced in 1997, calls for countries to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other green house gases. Though a signatory to the protocol, the United States has yet to ratify it. Despite the symbolic act of signing, the protocol is still not binding for the nation.
"Tufts is moving toward a more socially responsible and environmentally responsible image," Fencl said. Sophia Gordon "sets a really nice precedent."
In working closely with Tufts in constructing the building, Wilmot found a "commitment early on for [it] to be green," he said.
The central heating and cooling systems for Sophia Gordon, for example, work to minimize energy consumption. "The building has a shared high efficiency boiler and shared chillers with the new music building," Creighton said.
Sophia Gordon also uses solar energy to heat the building's water. Solar thermal panels, distinct from the photovoltaic panels on the roof, will provide about a third of the dorm's hot water.
The building's design is also crucial to maintaining ideal climate conditions within the dorm. Sophia Gordon is well insulated and airtight, and has other features designed to keep the building warm during the winter and cool during the summer.
"A dark roof on a hot sunny day will absorb 70 to 90 percent of the sun's energy and re-radiate this into your home, while [Sophia Gordon]'s white roof reflects this energy," the Sophia Gordon Web site read.
This comfort for residents will not come at the price of harmful side-effects. "Sophia Gordon Hall will have no greenhouse gas emissions associated with its electricity consumption," the Web site read.
Fencl, however, is unsure of how much of Tufts' efforts make their way into the community consciousness.
"I don't know that everyone's aware of what they live in," said Fencl.
TCI held a meeting for all Sophia Gordon residents to present an overview of the buildings features at the beginning of they year. They are continuing to reach out to the students who live there to talk to them an answer their questions, and to encourage energy efficiency among the building's residents.
"The most efficient way to be energy efficient is to avoid needing the power," Creighton said. "Students should know they have a role. When we get students to shut things down at break, we save a significant amount of energy."
