Steven J. Strong - President

Steven Strong is acknowledged as North America's pre-eminent authority on integration of renewable energy systems in buildings. Drawing on his background in architecture and engineering, Steven has pioneered the concept of environmentally responsive building design, incorporating renewable energy systems into his buildings, particularly solar electricity (photvoltaics), solar thermal and wind energy applications.

Steven has designed dozens of homes and buildings powered by solar electricity. His work is notable for a long series of firsts:

• First fully solar private residence in the United States:
  The house is cost-efficient as well as energy-efficient, and is the first private residence in the country to be powered by a utility-interactive solar electric system.

• World's first photovoltaics-powered neighborhood:
  In 1984, working with New England Electric, Solar Design powered up an entire neighborhood, including residential and commercial PV-powered buildings, in central Massachusetts.

• First large-scale photovoltaics application for an Olympic venue:
  In 1996, Steven worked with Olympic village architects in Atlanta to power the Natatorium Complex at the 1996 Summer Games with solar electricity using the world's largest roof-top PV power system.

• First significant building-integrated photovoltaics project for a United States diplomatic post: Steven and Solar Design provided design and engineering services for seven solar electric systems at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

• Boston's first commercial scale wind turbine: SDA partnered with Local 103 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to install this visible symbol of wind power.

Steven is the author of The Solar Electric House and Solar Electric Buildings, an Overview of Today's Applications. He served as editor and contributing author of Photovoltaics in the Built Environment: a Design Guide for Architects and Engineers and as contributing author to Photovoltaics in Buildings and Building with Photovoltaics.

Articles about Steven Strong and his work have appeared in over 100 publications, including TIME, Architecture, Business Week, Architectural Record, Environmental Design and Construction, IEEE Spectrum, World Architecture, Building Design and Construction, Popular Science, Wired and New Age, and on television and in energy and environmental documentaries.

Steven maintains a busy speaking schedule, and is pleased to deliver keynote speeches and presentations to audiences in the business, government, non-profit and academic sectors. Please contact us if you wish to reserve a speaking date or media interview.

Steven Strong and Solar Design Associates take pride in the many awards and distinctions they have been honored to receive over the years, particularly:

• In 1999, TIME magazine named Steven an Environmental "Hero for the Planet."
• In 2001, the American Solar Energy Society presented him with its Charles Greeley Abbot Award - the Society's highest honor, for outstanding achievement in the advancement of solar energy.

Solar Design Associates consults to architects, engineers and building owners in the integration of solar electric power, and to industry leaders and manufacturers on creative product development for building innovation.