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M CD O N N J a a 0 LO Q Z J 0. Q U_ Z .J J w Q U_ QQJ ' J 2 w d LLJQ- V h PAGE 4 I MILLION SOLAR. ROOFS Architect leads. wa3 l g� ff c y energy efficiency BY MARTY MANDELL — which is the centerpiece of AND SUSAN LUSTER its sustainable design strategy -- provides natural light for Million Solar Roofs Committee two - thirds of the daylight.hours, "No country on Earth has a and reduces the installed cool - serious, comprehensive, sustain- able, energy program, and the sit- '." ing equipment by more than 100, tons. Daylighting -in schools uation is deteriorating rapidly means energy savings, and . — Denis Hayes, founder of Earth Day tests show it creates a superior Many people in Orange Coun- learning environment in which attendance improves and .' ty think solar is the solution to grades the world's energy problems; Nicicklas has a degree in Mike 1V ld which is in direct contrast to architecture from N.C. State the majority of U.S. citizens, who think the continued pursuit University, is a founder of the N.C. Solar Energy Association,' ' of petroleum products is OK.. } We e part of a statewide ar and past president of the Amer - W movement toward the use of ican Solar Energy Society and the International Solar Energy alternative, renewable fuels Society. He headed the solar ' that has, over the past two decades, made North Carolina a section of the United Nations' national leader in solar energy Rio Conference in 1992 and gave a report on the conference This growth in solar is large- ly due to the influence and pro- in Carrboro to a group of s' ductivity of architect Mike elected officials from Oral Nicklas and his firm, Innovative Chatham and Alamance coup- ties. It is sad to report that his Design in-Raleigh, whose focus is on energy- efficient, environ- issues of sustainability areas; mentally sensitive design. That true today as they were 11 means environmentally friendly years ago: 111 Societal costs of energy building materials, passive . solar heating and cooling, pho -. consumption — erosion of land, tovoltaics, natural daylighting loss of agriculture, health and solar domestic hot water impacts. ■ Resource availability = and space - heating systems. Since 1977, they have . depletion of nonrenewables. designed 650 solar buildings, ■ Pollution of land, air, water more than any other architec- -- climate change. tural firm in the world. They've renovated 34 schools using ■ Balance of trade - one - fifth of the world's financial ' solar and energy improve - wens, saving 250 million kilo- transactions are related to oil. m Population growth — the watt -hours of electricity, and Third World has cheap coal for _ their nine new daylit school industrialization (and pollution designs saved 24 million kwhs. These schools averaged 10 per, like the West). ■ Discrepancy of wealth - cent below budget, and saved starving people don't care about $2.5 million in energy bills each 'renewable, energy; 2 billion . year, plus a reduction in carbon have no electricity. The U.S., with'5 percent of ` dioxide and oil imports. In addition, their design for the world's population, is Smith Middle School in Chapel responsible for 25 percent of Hill has eight hot water collec- global warming. Wouldn't it be tors that provide a third of the wonderful for us to stop t- school's hot water needs,. and an ing and become the first underground cistern to collect try to adopt a sustainable ener- roof rainwater for flushing toi- gy program? . lets and irrigating an adjacent You can reach Marty Mandell at 967 athletic field (with,a connection 9646 and Susan Luster at ncsea@mind to city water in case of drought, spring.com. Innovative Design is like last year). reachable a The .,;ehool's davliahting plan innovativedesign @mindspring .corn