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Miami City Hall
Combined Efficiency and Solar Project
Background
Miami City Hall is a historic building in Miami. Given the City's pursuit of
sustainability, and the Mayor's passion for the environment, City Hall is a
logical site for EcoZone supported by local corporate sponsors and
EcoMedia.
EcoMedia is providing two major energy management upgrades to the
facility. First, City Hall's interior lighting system will be replaced with state-of-
the-art energy efficient lamps and fixtures. Second, EcoMedia will be
installing a publicly accessible, state-of-the-art photovoltaic system on the
facility's south lawn.
Together, these actions will cut power consumption in the building
measurably while demonstrably symbolizing the City's commitment to
environmental stewardship and smart energy management.
Improving the Interior Lighting System's Energy Efficiency
City Hall's interior lighting system retrofit will save money by increasing
energy efficiency and reducing electrical consumption. Improvements will
include the swap -out of T-12 fluorescent lights for more efficient T-8 or T-5
fluorescent units. Additionally, incandescent light bulbs will be replaced by
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs), and room occupancy sensors will be
installed to limit lighting needs to times when rooms are in use. These
improvements, valued at an estimated $40,000 are planned to coincide with
the implementation of the solar system.
The Solar System
Working with City officials, EcoMedia elected to implement an advanced
solar system that would be located on the south lawn, away from the landmark
traffic circle at the entrance to City Hall, but fully viewable by the public and
the marina surrounding the facility. A challenge is that local building codes
require that systems can withstand 150 mph wind gusts.
EcoMedia proposes to install solar panels at City Hall with a collaborative
effort of two Miami -based firms, Abender Corporation and Sun Electronics.
The gross cost of the system is $100,000.
System Design
With strong experience working locally, and recent approvals for a solar
system in Miami, this team also clearly saw the mission of the demonstration.
If approved by the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, the team
will install four pole -mounted photovoltaic racks of ten Evergreen 180-watt
panels each, providing a 5.76 kW AC solar system on site. The panels will be
installed on the Southeast lawn of City Hall, at the rear corner of the building.
Assuming five hours of average daily insolation, the system will generate
approximately 10,500 kWh annually. The solar panels will be used to
decrease consumption of electricity from utilities and possibly to charge
backup batteries providing emergency power to City Hall. Each pole will be
12 feet tall, and each pole holds 10 solar panels comprising a total area of 10
feet by 16 feet. Electrical conduit will be placed underground and will be
routed through the building's basement.
Exhibits
• Aerial View of City Hall and Grounds Showing Solar Panel Positioning
• Artist's Rendering of South Side Ground -level of solar panels