Good Energy
Marin Rowing Association is fueled by the sun
WORDS EILEEN HANSEN
PHOTOGRAPHY JAY GRAHAM
As the sun shines on the dappled waters of Corte Madera Creek, Marin Rowing Association crews spear through the golden reflections, scooping the water and leaving telltale puddles behind. Meanwhile, working nearly as hard are 112 solar panels atop the MRA boathouse, absorbing the sun’s rays and converting them into energy to fuel the association’s entire building.
The MRA is the first boathouse of its size to go completely solar. However the 28 kilowatt system isn’t all. Within the next year, MRA will also be among the first boathouses with an electric-motor coaching fleet.
For a boathouse accustomed to winning gold medals in national and international competitions, this accomplishment resonates in a completely different way.
“It’s not so much about being first,” said Sandy Armstrong, executive director and varsity girls coach. “Whether we’re first, fifth, whatever – it doesn’t matter. It’s about coming together to do the right thing for the boathouse, the community and the environment”.