New Erie Recreation Center Opens With Novan Solar System
Novan Solar Inc. of Golden, Colorado has recently completed a 70-panel solar thermal system for the new Erie Recreation Center in Erie, Colorado. The heating system will generate nearly 9,200 therms (the equivalent of 275 MWh) of energy every year. This will provide a significant portion of the energy needed to heat a large aquatics area replete with a lap pool, leisure pool, whirlpool, water slide with splash tank, lazy river, and outdoor water sculpture and spray area. More than sixty metric tons of carbon dioxide (green house gases) will be offset by the system each year.
In recognition of its responsibility to the community, the Erie Community Center has been designed with sustainability and energy conservation as a priority. Sustainable design elements include: solar water heating system, pool HVAC heat recovery, regenerative media pool filters (first of its kind in Colorado), high efficiency boilers, enhanced roof insulation, grey-water irrigation system and the use of a high performance tinted low-e glass.
“Novan is proud to have been able to complete this project with Erie. Their adoption of solar energy demonstrates a real commitment to their patrons, the tax payers, and to the environment,” Novan founder and president, Jacob Futro, stated. Novan also designed and built a 144-panel solar water heating system for the North Boulder Recreation Center in Boulder, Colorado and has other recreation center projects planned for Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.
Other energy-saving features of the Center include: automatic lighting controls, natural day-lighting in all large volume areas, low emitting finish materials, use of recycled materials wherever possible, waterless urinals, extra foam sheathing as a thermal break, automatic solar shades for south and west facing glass, and the use of regional materials to reduce transport energy consumption.
Novan Solar Inc. is the largest solar thermal company in Colorado and the Southwest. Novan specializes in turnkey solutions for large-scale commercial and industrial water heating needs in addition to supplying systems for residences.