The University of Nevada, Reno has received Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for the Marguerite Wattis Petersen Athletic Academic Center (pictured right). The 8,300-square-foot center is the first LEED accredited building constructed on the University campus.
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Forward-thinking Reno architect Ray Hellman designed Fleischmann Planetarium as a ‘green’ building over 45 years ago. The historic building’s unique shape is dictated largely by an ingenious passive solar thermal system; the roofline traces the path of the sun across a wall of large rotating black and white louvers that collect heat as part of a complex ventilation system.
In the past two years, efforts have been made to reemphasize the building’s renewable energy features; the results of these efforts are new working exhibits of clean power.
Thanks to a generous gift from NV Energy and the hard work of Black Rock Solar, the Planetarium now has a small wind turbine and an array of photovoltaic (solar electric) panels just outside the main entrance. When completed, the combined output should be around 1.5 kWh, roughly 20 percent of the building’s current electricity usage. A display inside the lobby will show real-time energy generation and usage data; these data will also be available on the Planetarium’s website.
In June 2009, the Planetarium finished the first phase of the restoration of the large solar wall; cleverly engineered by Andrew Solberg and Robert Gilmer of CH2MHill around existing (but long-dormant) components, built by Brown and Read, and funded by a historic preservation grant from the state of Nevada. The new system will use the large panels to augment the building’s heating system in cool weather.
In fall 2009, the Planetarium will begin a second phase of the large solar thermal system that will include full automation and controls to allow data collection and trend monitoring, viewable in real-time from a display in the lobby. This effort is made possible through federal historic preservation funds distributed through the State of Nevada’s department of cultural affairs.
» Visit the Fleischmann Planetarium website
Video shot during the installation of the Solar Array on the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno. Installation by Black Rock Solar. (Note: video only - no audio)