Elon University was awarded $200,000 in federal grant money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help with the installation of a solar water heating system.

The system will heat water in a dining hall and several residence halls.

“Between this and geothermal (projects under construction), we’re getting off to a great start in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions,” Robert Buchholz, director of the physical plant at Elon, said in a statement.

The initiative is among 18 funded throughout that state using $2.3 million in grants.