solar solutions for civic/municipal facilities

Solar energy options cut costs on any municipality’s major operating expenses: heating, lighting/electric, and hot water. And because many municipalities now have mandates to reduce grid load with new construction projects, solar options make perfect sense. From updating a recreation center to building a new courthouse to renovating a library, solar daylighting can cut electricity costs dramatically. When solar thermal/hot water is used as a supplement for gas heat or as a replacement for boilers, you save big on heating bills. Solar electric systems can cut a major cost for most operations. Countless facilities can save with solar, but here are just a few examples.

• Pools, gyms, and recreation centers: Solar hot water solutions are perfect where expenses to heat water for pools, showers, and laundry facilities comprise a major portion of the budget. Natural daylighting can be used to light basketball courts, cardio-vascular rooms, weight-training rooms, dance studios, locker rooms, and more. Whenever the sun is shining, you save on lighting expenses. Solar electric (photovoltaic, or PV) can offset electricity expenses to run workout equipment such as treadmills and stair machines.
  
  
• Courthouses, civic administration buildings, motor vehicle departments: Increase productivity and quality of work, boost morale, increase employee retention, and decrease absenteeism and health care costs with solar daylighting. A study reported by the Rocky Mountain Institute showed productivity gains of 6-16% in buildings with daylighting installed. You also save big on lighting costs with natural daylighting in a typical office, where lighting expenses alone account for up to 40% of utility costs. Want to save even more? Use solar electric (photovoltaic, or PV) to run computers and other office equipment that typically consume over 20% of a utilities budget.
  
  
• Jails/detention centers: Natural daylighting can help reduce aggression in prison populations and increase cooperation and compliance among detainees. Natural daylight can be especially beneficial for youth populations.