Ann Arbor, a leader in utilizing solar technology in Metro Detroit, is about to spend a little more time in the solar spotlight now that it is debuting the state's first fire station to harness the sun.
The new solar water heating system for the city's main fire station (across from City Hall) at 111 N Fifth Ave., is up and running. The system will provide hot water for showers, cooking and other building needs, supplying more than 200 gallons of hot water a day. The fire department's administration uses the building during normal business hours while seven firemen live at the station around the clock, cooking meals, taking showers and washing clothes. The solar water heating system is expected to save $600 per year in natural gas costs.
The adjacent Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum will also utilize the system and will use it as an exhibit on solar water heating. City officials hope it will show the city is leading by example in the community by utilizing renewable resources.
The system is one of the first to contribute to Ann Arbor’s Green Energy Challenge, a city-wide goal to utilize renewable energy for 30 percent of the city's energy needs by 2010 and 20 percent of the energy needs for the entire community. The city is paying half of the cost for the $12,000 system. A $6,000 grant from the Michigan Energy Office is providing the rest of the money.
The city also has plans to install solar panels in the city's Farmers Market next year. Those projects and others in the works are reasons why the U.S. Department of Energy named Ann Arbor a Solar America City.
Source: City of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.