Sustainable buildings are designed to lessen their impact on our environment through energy and resource efficiency. Implemented properly, sustainable development uses natural resources in a manner that does not eliminate or degrade them or otherwise diminish their usefulness for future generations.

For development to be sustainable it must integrate energy-conscious design, environmentally responsive planning and solar energy utilization. These are the cornerstones of SDA's design philosophy and experience.

Over the past 25 years, Solar Design Associates has designed, engineered and constructed dozens of sustainable buildings--custom solar residences, multi-unit residential developments and commercial buildings. SDA has also provided planning, facilities design and energy systems engineering to several clients developing ecotourism resorts.

Solar Powered High-Rise In 1978, Solar Design Associates designed the country's first utility-interactive solar electric power system for a high-rise building near Boston.

Belize Resort - On an island near Belize, SDA designed and built a large-scale, solar electric system to power a resort complex of 25 buildings. It is the largest solar power system in the Caribbean basin.

Florida Island - In the Florida Keys, SDA created a sustainable destination for visitors on a small island. It includes a hybrid solar-electric/wind energy system along with energy-efficient buildings.

IMPACT 2000 House - In 1983, Boston Edison commissioned SDA to build the PV-powered "Impact 2000" House in Brookline, MA as a demonstration of future trends in sustainable home design.

Bahamas Development - On an undeveloped island in the Bahamas with a fragile eco-system, SDA constructed a small inn with a marina and private airstrip for a private client. SDA engineered and built a hybrid wind/PV energy system, a reverse-osmosis water purification system, energy-conscious buildings, low-energy use facilities and support systems.

The First Solar Electric House - In 1980, SDA developed the first building-integrated PV system. Commissioned by MIT, SDA designed and engineered a 3,200 square-foot energy-efficient, passive solar residence powered by solar electricity. Known as the "Carlisle House," it is the first residence ever to be powered by a utility-interactive solar electric system.

Solar Resort - In 1979, SDA co-developed a condominium village near popular ski resorts in New Hampshire's Mt Washington Valley. SDA helped create an environmentally responsive design that incorporates active and passive solar with energy-efficient construction and requires a minimum of purchased energy to operate.

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