Photovoltaic Panels at the Capitol

The executive director has begun a study which will look at the possibility of using Photovoltaic (PV) Panels to generate energy from the sun to be used to light the Capitol and the Capitol Complex at night.

During the day energy will be developed by the sun through the PV panels. Once the suns energy is turned into electricity it will be placed into the power grid then at night the power will be taken back from the grid to light the Capitol Dome, Capitol Building and the site lighting of the Complex.

It is estimated that the total amount of KWh/yr that would be required to accomplish 100% of the night lighting would be 258,994 KWh/yr or a total watts of 59,131 and would require approximately 990 PV panels. This is the long term goal for the capitol would:
- Cost $2,200,000 engineering and installation
- Save the State $43,000 per year for a payback of 51 years.
- Save 120 Ton of CO2 each year.

While it may appear that a 51 year payback is a very long time in a commercial world, for the State Capitol Complex it make excellent sense since the Capitol and the Complex will always be under the ownership of the State and the Capitol Preservation Board 20 year Master plan is focused on building 100 year plus facilities. Therefore at the end of the Capitol’s next 100 years the State would have saved with PV panels after the initial pay back of the costs (49 years x $43,000/year in FY2009 dollars) over $2.1 million dollars.

Currently this concept is being investigated with a local engineering company. Following the analysis a phased plan of action and funding will be developed and presented to the Capitol Preservation Board.

Lighting and Lamp Types used at the Utah State Capitol

There are 42,240 total lamps used for interior lighting within the Utah State Capitol of those 3,403 or only 8% are incandescent lamps. All other lamps 38,837 or 92% are energy-efficient lamps consisting of fluorescent, HID and LED.

The total interior Lighting Power Density is 0.98 watts/sf.

The allowable Lighting Power Density by code (ASHRAE 90.1-1999 or 2001) is 1.3 watts/sf.

This results in an improvement of 25% over and above the code requirement.

Energy Conservation and the Renovated State Capitol

During the design of the Utah State Capitol Restoration architects and engineers working with the executive director sought to incorporate energy saving elements into the restoration work. These elements have successfully reduced the energy consumption of Capitol Hill from what it was in 1999 to what it is today. Some of the elements that have been incorporated in the capitol include the following list:

· Lighting-96% LEED (Leadership in Energy in Environmental Design) certified
· Windows-replaced the windows to make them more thermal for energy efficiency
· Central Plant-completely new and energy efficient
· Underground Parking-reduced heat
· Roof-Light Color, reflects heat
· Day Lighting-skylights and low lights, more natural light throughout the building
· Water Sensor's in Landscaping-to make sure we don't over water
· Weather Station-to help us understand how much we need to water
· Drip Irrigation System-mainly for the trees, in case of a drought to be able to water the trees only
· Concrete usage around the Capitol instead of asphalt-reducing heat
· Out door lighting-lights that have "cut-off" tops so we don't leak light
· Occupancy Sensors in Offices
· Exhibit Cases-Renewable lyptus wood
· Mechanically Pre Cooling the building using three different types of cooling procedures, free cooling (completely outside air) evaporative (kind of like swamp cooler effect) and regular air conditioning. These three helps reduce the overall energy.
· Electrically-low energy light bulbs
· Appliances-All Energy Star products
· Reduced carbon footprint by retaining embedded energy. I.e. granite, marble, chamber's marble etc...