OCCC Gets Grant for Solar Panels
-- Tradeshow Week, 2/25/2008
Orlando's Orange County Convention Center will soon be able to help Florida live up to its Sunshine State nickname.
The state recently awarded the OCCC, in partnership with the Orlando Utilities Commission, a $1.8 million grant to install a 1-megawatt solar photovoltaic system – essentially solar panels covering 200,000 square feet of rooftop space on the North/South Building.
When completed in about a year, it will be the largest photovoltaic system in the southeastern United States, according to convention center officials, generating 1,300 to 1,500 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to supply power to 80 to 100 homes.
“The center is delighted to be awarded this grant to help expand our green initiatives,” said Jerry Daigle, OCCC deputy general manager. “Over the last three years, our operations personnel have successfully implemented several energy conservation measures. This solar PV project will take us to the next level in energy management, and it will be a major step in making our facilities green.”
In addition, the utilities commission will contribute $1.5 million, in return receiving 10 years' worth of renewable energy credits.
As part of the project, the convention center will have a Climate Change Education Center to promote environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable energy technologies.
The center has other sustainability efforts in place:
- recycling center
- purchasing recycled products
- using reclaimed water for landscaping irrigation
- xeriscape landscaping
- using green cleaning products
- waterless urinals and low-flow faucets
