Omega Institute Center for Sustainable Living / Rhinebeck, NY

Omega Institute Center for Sustainable Living

“Our Center is geared toward the idea that we – all of us – can make different, better choices about how we go about living on earth – we can be more aware of the how our daily decisions impact the greater communities of which we are a part. Concrete steps, like using solar power for the Center’s electricity needs, help us translate this idea into built reality.”

Skip Backus, Executive Director of the Omega Institute

Powered by a 48.5 kW solar electric system installed by Alteris Renewables, which will provide nearly 100% of the needs for the new Omega Institute Center for Sustainable Living, went online in July of 2009. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) is a state-of-the art education center and natural wastewater treatment facility. A model of sustainable architecture, the OCSL is a pioneering project in the Living Building Challenge and is expected to be the first building in the United States to receive the Living Building designation in addition to receiving LEED Platinum certification within the next year.

Installation Type Ground Mount Solar Array
Location Rhinebeck, NY
Type of Panel SunPower 230-WHT
Date Completed July 2009
Type of Inverter SunPower SPR 7000m
System Size 48.50 kW
Power Generated (annual) 1,153,841 kWh
PV Surface Area 2743 sq. ft.
1st Year Savings $11,270

  • Reduces CO2 emissions 1,400,000 lbs. over the life of the system

  • Equivalent to planting 6,850 trees

  • This is the same as eliminating 1,650,400 driving miles

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  • Our Center is geared toward the idea that we – all of us – can make different, better choices about how we go about living on earth – we can be more aware of the how our daily decisions impact the greater communities of which we are a part. Concrete steps, like using solar power for the Center’s electricity needs, help us translate this idea into built reality.

    Skip Backus, Executive Director of the Omega Institute