Colorado School Breaks New Ground with Lighting Retrofit.(Brighton Charter School)(Statistical Data Included)

BRIGHTON, COLO.--While many public buildings have embarked on lighting upgrades to save money and energy, Brighton Charter School is realizing additional savings through an agreement with the local utility that allows the school's lighting to be dimmed during peak-demand periods using remote powerline carrier (PLC) control signals. In addition to controllable electronic ballasts and load-management controls, the project also involves energy-efficient lamps, photosensors for daylight harvesting, and occupancy sensors to turn off unneeded lights.

Beyond the expected annual savings of $9,000, students and staff are enjoying improved light quality throughout the building. Light levels were increased an average of 35 percent throughout the facility--from 25 to 50 footcandles in some areas--while in other areas, lighting levels were reduced and standardized.

The project achieved a reduction of 47 kW, about 54 percent, with a total reduction of 130,035 kWh anticipated annually in the facility. Because the structure is a school, it remains lighted only 2,500 hours per year. Additional savings of at least another 10 percent were expected through a special load-reduction rate schedule.…