Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
Photo courtesy of Len Kreger
Photo courtesy of Len Kreger
The Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center solar power project is up and running according Len Kreger community volunteer who lead the effort to seek an alternative energy source for heating the municipal swimming pool.
Estimated savings to the city over fifteen years is expected to be $250,000. At current energy rates, it will take 4 – 5 years to recoup the project cost of $31,900. Kreger has yet to calculate the green house gas reduction, but he believes it will be significant.
The city contracted with AIA Solar, a locally owned company, to complete the project. Pete Wilking, owner and president of A1A Solar provided the following statement to the Fernandina Observer.
“It has been a pleasure working with City staff on this project and I’m very pleased with the installation even after we had to redesign the mounting system based on the sub-roofing material discovered. This commercial solar pool system shows the City making a wise capital investment to reduce on going operating costs-as well as being environmentally responsible in terms of fossil fuel reduction and overall pollution footprint.
Although this solar pool heating system uses solar “thermal” technology, the majority of our installations (both residential and commercial) involve photovoltaic or “PV” installations where we make electricity. For heating pools, solar thermal is typically the most cost-effective technology to use. One thing we know for sure, no matter how much electricity and propane cost rise, the cost of sunshine will remain the same….free!”
November 12, 2013 6:38 a.m.
It will be interesting to see the impact on the heating costs during the winter and shoulder seasons for the pool. As noted at the end of the article, as opposed to a solar “power” program generating electricity, this is using the thermal heat of the sun to raise the temperature of the pool water being recirculated through tubing embedded in the black plastic. Thanks to Len for championing this effort and for Nan and her staff for all their support in seeing this completed just in time for the approaching cold.