BCGR - ACU Green (Part 1)
By: Chris Whited, KRBC News
Updated: March 31, 2009
As the sun shines down on the campus of Abilene Christian Univeristy, facility operators are putting that sunlight to a green use. Lighting in several of the older buildings has been renovated to take advantage of natural lighting, such as inside the McGlothlin Campus Center.Scot Colley, a project renovations manager with the university told KRBC News that "in our Bean Cafeteria we put in some harvesters and what those do is measure the light level that's coming in from the windows and from outside and adjust the lighting inside to make up for that so we're not just having lights on."
The university is on the forefront to make Texas a leader in the solar power revolution. From solar panels to just adding more windows, technology advancements are being found in new buildings as the campus continues to grow. "Any new construction we have or anything that is sustainable or is a green initiative we look at them and any viable option we implement them, " explained Colley.
One example is new field house under construction at the women's softball field that is taking advantage of solar technology. Three large solar panels have been installed that will power a new water heating system. The system will save the university about $400- dollars a month on utilities. Another example is the new Hunter Welcome Center that is lined with many windows along the south and east facade. According to colley the hall of honor, found in this area of the building, has no lighting and is totally illuminated by the sunlight.
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