Orange County NC Website
14 <br /> #6 Ranked Project— 203 Project Solar PV Array and Green Roof <br /> Applicant (Collaborators):Town of Carrboro <br /> Funding Requested: $178,507 <br /> Recommended Funding Level: $40,567.50 (all remaining funds) <br /> Total Score(Out of 25 pts): 17.7 <br /> Project Description: "In 2017,the Town of Carrboro and Orange County entered into a Development Agreement <br /> related to design, permitting, and construction of a building and associated parking known as The 203 <br /> Project to provide for the Orange County Southern Branch Library, Town of Carrboro Recreation and Parks <br /> Program, Orange County Skills Development Center,WCOM Radio, and other uses." <br /> "The Town is requesting funds to construct a solar photovoltaic array on the building's west roof as well as a <br /> green roof in a separate area.The solar photovoltaic array will produce 102,700 kWh/year and the green roof <br /> will be designed as a tray-type vegetated roof assembly." <br /> Project Benefits: "The 203 Project is a combined effort that will offer a public facility to provide opportunities <br /> for education, art, and community.This building will be accessible to all individuals and will enhance the quality <br /> of life in Carrboro.The project provides direct benefits to all who use the building through its energy efficiency, <br /> reduced urban heat island effect, cooling, stormwater management, pollinator habitat, and to the whole <br /> community for its reduced energy costs and its environmental benefits. <br /> The green roof will provide direct benefits by insulating the building, lowering the energy needed to provide <br /> cooling and heating and leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.The vegetation will also sequester <br /> carbon and improve air quality by removing air pollutants. It will enhance stormwater management and water <br /> quality by filtering pollutants from rainfall and reducing the total volume of annual runoff from the associated <br /> roof area by 60%. It will help mitigate the urban heat island effect by removing heat from the air through <br /> evapotranspiration, and will provide aesthetic value and improve quality of life, as interaction with nature has <br /> been shown to benefit physical and mental health and productivity." <br /> "All residents of Carrboro (21,230) and Orange County(148,476) will benefit from the project's greenhouse gas <br /> emissions reductions resulting from reductions in electricity usage as well as carbon sequestration.The solar <br /> array and green roof will provide a visible example of the Town and County commitment to climate action and <br /> sustainability in a prominent, highly-trafficked location in downtown Carrboro." <br /> Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: <br /> $60.60 <br /> HRC Comments: While the HRC would rather see these funds spent on more direct social justice and racial <br /> equity programming, they acknowledge that this building will house many important social support programs <br /> like the Skills Development Center, and these will be an amenity to the community.There is an indirect case that <br /> these improvements will help the building to run efficiently, and that this may help support the important social <br /> justice programming being done inside. <br /> CFE Comments:The applicants' proposal outlines a project that appears clear and obtainable.This project could <br /> showcase environmental technology and promote renewable energy for a large segment of residents. The CFE <br />