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Printed From Acorn-Online.com Wilton Bulletin
The former PerkinElmer building on the Norwalk-Wilton line, called i.Park Norwalk, recently had a solar roof installed to meet LEED certification energy efficient standards. The roof is part of a $50 million renovation project. Mercury Solar Systems of Greenwich is now installing an array of solar panels to generate solar electricity in the middle of what will become a green roof with a green garden on the 400,000 square foot building. The building, near the intersection of the Merritt Parkway and Route 7, was acquired by Greenwich-based National RE/Sources. The structure will become a corporate campus and half the office space will house medical offices and staff affiliated with Norwalk Hospital. The complex is called “i.Park” because of its owners’ desire for an intelligent renovation in design and infrastructure that complies with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Mercury Solar Systems, a CT-certified installer of solar electric and solar thermal systems, is placing a 54-panel photovoltaic system sized at 11kW on a section of the building that has a new roof which has been resurfaced and will be visible from the main conference room. Solar panels collect the sun’s energy and convert it into direct current electricity. Solar electricity is a major cost savings, helps to relieve congestion in the electrical grid, and reduces fossil fuel consumption that contributes to global warming, the company said. “The conversion to solar electricity is a viable option for all businesses in the Northeast and in Fairfield County where the electricity rates are among the highest in the country,” said Jared Haines, president of Mercury Solar Systems. “The combination of federal tax credits, cash incentives offered by the state of Connecticut, and the savings of electricity costs outweigh the investment. In the case of i.Park Norwalk, this is extremely important from an environmental standpoint.” As an added environmental bonus, the building will house a two-story atrium with natural lighting and bamboo trees to provide a tranquil setting along with a fully-equipped fitness center and indoor pool. “Solar electricity fits our goal of having class A energy efficient office space that’s a commercial role model for conservation,” said Lynne M. Ward, vice president of leasing at National RE/Sources. “i.Park is attracting a diverse tenant base because of its value, pleasant environment, amenities and prime location.” © Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers |
