Page 240 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design

216 ENERGY CONSERVATION

TABLE 5.6 LEED BUILDING CERTIFICATION
CATEGORIES AND ASSOCIATED POINTS
LEED certified 26–32 points
Silver level 33–38 points
Gold level 39–51 points
Platinum level 52–69 points

LEED DESIGN MEASURES
Solar power cogeneration The following is a description the Center for Water
Education’s LEED solar system. The project is one of the largest private solar instal-
lations in the western United States. The system, composed of 2925 solar panels, also
includes custom-designed BIPV panels manufactured by Atlantis Energy Systems that
cover the loggia. Not only are these panels highly efficient, but they are also beautiful
and add an architectural detail found nowhere else.
Part of the incentive to install such a large solar system was the generous rebate pro-
gram provided by the CEC. At the time of purchase, the center invested $4 million on
the design and installation of the solar power system.

Electrical engineering energy-conservation design measures In process
of designing an integrated electrical and solar power system, special design measures
were undertaken to significantly minimize the long-term operational cost of energy
consumption. Design measures undertaken consisted of significantly exceeding
California Title 24 energy conformance minimum standards.

Lighting-control automation In order to exceed the energy-economy standards, the
electrical engineering design incorporated a wide variety of electronic sensing devices
and timers to optimize daylight harvesting and zone-lighting controls. Specifically,
lighting-control design measures incorporate the following:

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■ All buildings over 5000 ft are divided into lighting-control zones that are con-
trolled by a central computerized programmable astrological timer. Each lighting
zone is programmed to operate under varied timing cycles, which enables substan-
tial reduction in lighting power consumption. Figure 5.12 is photograph of the
BIPV solar power system in the Paleontology Museum in Hemet California.
■ All campus lighting fixtures used throughout the project are high-efficiency fluo-
rescent fixtures.
■ All office lighting is controlled by occupancy sensors or photoelectric controls.
■ All lights adjacent to windows are controlled by dedicated switches or photocells.
■ Lighting levels in each room are kept below the minimum permitted levels of
California Title 24 energy compliance levels.