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greenprint in the news
Newest learning tool is on museum's roof
By: Shawn Patrick
9News
June 11, 2008
DENVER - In front of a picturesque backdrop of the Denver city skyline, the Museum of Nature and Science unveiled a new system of solar panels on its roof.
It's the largest system of its kind in the state.
In all, 465 panels are divided between roofs on the southeast and southwest wings of the museum.
The system features enough power to light up 30 homes, and will also be used for part of a new science education wing at the museum.
"This array represents the first step in the museum's drive to reduce our carbon footprint," said Dave Noel, vice president of Information Technology at Denver's Museum of Nature and Science.
The move is part of a citywide push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in the next four years, for what's known as Greenprint Denver.
"There's probably no better place in this country to demonstrate the power of solar and wind energy than Colorado," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Hickenlooper helped flip the switch on the system, before taking part in a show and tell on the museum's roof Wednesday morning.
Noel says the 100,000-square-foot facility will have a zero carbon footprint, and he says it's designed to withstand wind gusts of up to 110 miles an hour.
At a news conference, Hickenlooper referenced the downtown skyline behind him when he emphasized the push to go green in Denver.
"You sit here and you look at that view and you understand why we care so much about our quality of life," said Hickenlooper.
Hybrid energy group, a Denver-based renewable energy investment company, developed and financed the project.
A loan was also secured from the Partnership for Sustainability, a nonprofit organization that awards no-interest loans to individuals, small businesses and nonprofit groups for solar projects.
The museum also paid for part of the system through a rebate from Xcel Energy's solar rewards program, which gives customers cash back for installing such systems.
Negotiations are underway for an even larger project on part of the roof at the Colorado Convention Center.
A spokesperson says the system will cover about 40,000 square feet on the Welton Street side of the building, with enough electricity to power 65 homes.
The city hopes to have a portion of the project up and running this summer.
Article URL: http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=93543&catid=188
