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Churchill County will soon add to the solar panels on the south side of the indoor swimming pool. The county will received a $54,000 rebate on the $120,000 project and reduce its monthly electric bill at the facility.
Churchill County is in the process of adding more solar panels to the roof of its indoor swimming pool, but that's just the beginning of the effort to go green and be energy efficient.
"We think its time to get into the green energy business," said County Manager Brad Goetsch.
The solar panels currently on the roof of the indoor pool were installed between 2002 and 2003.
"It's proven to be a pretty effective way to heat the pool," said Gary Gulden, county building and grounds director.
The original panels were expected to pay for themselves within 10 years, and the new panels are expected to pay for themselves in 13, Gulden said. Goetsch added that because the panels usually last 10 years beyond the 20-year warranty, it will result in 20 years of free energy.
"That's a pretty good investment," Goetsch said.
The county will also receive a rebate for installing the panels from Sierra Pacific SolarGenerations, which offers public building, school building, small business and residential rebates for installing energy efficient technology.
"We think its time to get into the green energy business," said County Manager Brad Goetsch.
The solar panels currently on the roof of the indoor pool were installed between 2002 and 2003.
"It's proven to be a pretty effective way to heat the pool," said Gary Gulden, county building and grounds director.
The original panels were expected to pay for themselves within 10 years, and the new panels are expected to pay for themselves in 13, Gulden said. Goetsch added that because the panels usually last 10 years beyond the 20-year warranty, it will result in 20 years of free energy.
"That's a pretty good investment," Goetsch said.
The county will also receive a rebate for installing the panels from Sierra Pacific SolarGenerations, which offers public building, school building, small business and residential rebates for installing energy efficient technology.
Gulden said the project will cost $120,000, and the rebate should be for $54,000, not to mention the reduction of a $2,500 per month electric bill.
If the project is successful, Goetsch said, the county wants to begin adding solar panels to all new, and possibly old, county buildings, starting with the new water treatment plant and the sewer plant. Goetsch said their efforts toward alternative energy will not only save the county money, it enhances the environment, lowers pollution and greenhouse gases, reduces reliance on fuels like oil and coal, promotes better health for the community and lowers energy costs for tax payers.
But the county's efforts toward going green don't end there.
Goetsch explained the county has been discussing ways to improve energy efficiency for 10 to 15 years, and they have been actively pursuing it for five.
"There's been a lot of small things," Goetsch said.
The county has replaced equipment like copiers and lights with energy efficient ones. They have also reduced lighting and created turning off light policies.
Energy will also be saved through recent ordinance requiring developers to go to every effort to utilize gravity for water movement before using machinery. Little things like the installation of Variable Frequency Drives on pumps at the new water station will also save a lot of energy by allowing the pumps to run at intermediate levels.
If the project is successful, Goetsch said, the county wants to begin adding solar panels to all new, and possibly old, county buildings, starting with the new water treatment plant and the sewer plant. Goetsch said their efforts toward alternative energy will not only save the county money, it enhances the environment, lowers pollution and greenhouse gases, reduces reliance on fuels like oil and coal, promotes better health for the community and lowers energy costs for tax payers.
But the county's efforts toward going green don't end there.
Goetsch explained the county has been discussing ways to improve energy efficiency for 10 to 15 years, and they have been actively pursuing it for five.
"There's been a lot of small things," Goetsch said.
The county has replaced equipment like copiers and lights with energy efficient ones. They have also reduced lighting and created turning off light policies.
Energy will also be saved through recent ordinance requiring developers to go to every effort to utilize gravity for water movement before using machinery. Little things like the installation of Variable Frequency Drives on pumps at the new water station will also save a lot of energy by allowing the pumps to run at intermediate levels.
Maintaining open spaces is another part of the county's green efforts. Using state funds and working with NAS Fallon, the county has the ability to offer easements to land owners in order to reduce pressure from developers trying to purchase their land or water.
In addition, Churchill County has five geothermal plants that provide energy to the county by using heat from the earth. The energy is sold in Nevada and Southern California.
Goetsch said some residents also use geothermal energy for their homes, something the county is examining.
Both Goetsch and Gulden agree that individuals can benefit by using alternative energy for their own homes, especially with the amount of sun in Churchill County. Plus, SolarGenerations offers residential rebates.
"I would encourage anybody in the county that can afford to do it, to do it," Gulden said.
Churchill County has already made many efforts to go green, but there's much more in store. The county is also looking into getting a LEED Certification, which will require engineers to build energy-efficient buildings, possibly with solar panels already installed.
The installation of a large array of solar panels in a field is also under consideration. NAS Fallon is currently working on such a project, Goetsch said, and will keep the county informed of its success.
In addition, Churchill County has five geothermal plants that provide energy to the county by using heat from the earth. The energy is sold in Nevada and Southern California.
Goetsch said some residents also use geothermal energy for their homes, something the county is examining.
Both Goetsch and Gulden agree that individuals can benefit by using alternative energy for their own homes, especially with the amount of sun in Churchill County. Plus, SolarGenerations offers residential rebates.
"I would encourage anybody in the county that can afford to do it, to do it," Gulden said.
Churchill County has already made many efforts to go green, but there's much more in store. The county is also looking into getting a LEED Certification, which will require engineers to build energy-efficient buildings, possibly with solar panels already installed.
The installation of a large array of solar panels in a field is also under consideration. NAS Fallon is currently working on such a project, Goetsch said, and will keep the county informed of its success.
Wind energy has also been analyzed, but research so far suggests that the best winds are on already claimed lands.
These projects are under discussion, but one thing is for sure. Churchill County isn't alone. The county is supported by the base's efforts, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District's hydro-electric plants and the Paiute-Shoshone Tribe's installation of solar panels in 2005.
"Churchill County is truly a green county," Goetsch said.
For more information on the SolarGenerations program, visit www.SierraPacific.com and follow their links to Conservation and Renewable Energy.
These projects are under discussion, but one thing is for sure. Churchill County isn't alone. The county is supported by the base's efforts, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District's hydro-electric plants and the Paiute-Shoshone Tribe's installation of solar panels in 2005.
"Churchill County is truly a green county," Goetsch said.
For more information on the SolarGenerations program, visit www.SierraPacific.com and follow their links to Conservation and Renewable Energy.
