Solar thermal (hot water)

In 2014, Skidmore College installed several solar thermal systems to support the domestic hot-water needs in four campus residence halls and our horse stables. Penfield, McClellan, Kimball and Wilmarth residence halls each have a 10-panel array that supply about 30% of the domestic hot water needs for each building. Skidmore's Van Lennep Riding Center also has a 10-panel solar thermal array, supplying hot water at the horse stables located on Daniels Road.

In 2015 the Office of Advancement launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to support Skidmore's sixth solar thermal installation. The new 54-panel array sits upon the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall and supplies the building with more than 1,000 gallons of hot water every day. This project was made possible thanks to generous donations from students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends of the college, along with funding support from Skidmore College and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).