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Case Study: Solar Transformation at Veterans' Administration Hospitals, Texas

Project Introduction:

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable energy solutions, the year 2002 marked a pivotal moment in the Veterans' Administration Hospitals in San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas. Under the guidance of Johnson Controls, Inc., an Energy Service Performance Contractor (ESPC), the hospitals embarked on an ambitious journey to harness the power of solar energy. As a dedicated subcontractor, Industrial Solar Technology played a crucial role in providing design, start-up services, collector mounting hardware, and thermal energy storage tanks, ranging in volume from 1200 to over 5,000 gallons. The culmination of this effort resulted in the installation of a total of 320 SunEarth EC-40-1.5 flat plate collectors. These solar systems have proven to be instrumental in significantly reducing the hospitals' reliance on conventional energy sources.

Audey Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio:

The Audey Murphy VA Hospital stands as a testament to the versatility of solar technology. The hospital hosts four distinct solar systems, each tailored to meet specific energy needs. The largest of these systems comprises 75 flat plate panels operating within a closed-loop glycol system. This system's primary function is to preheat domestic hot water for the hospital's main building, significantly reducing the load on traditional water heating methods. Two additional drainback systems have been installed, one of which is dedicated to preheating feedwater for the hospital's central boiler facility. The solar systems at Audey Murphy VA Hospital have brought about a remarkable reduction in the consumption of conventional energy sources, underscoring their crucial role in a sustainable energy future.

Kerrville VA Hospital:

The VA Hospital in Kerrville stands as another beacon of sustainable energy innovation. Its closed-loop glycol system is adorned with 128 solar collectors, arranged in eight parallel rows. The solar system has been engineered to supply hot water to a laundry facility serving both hospitals, as well as other federal sites in the San Antonio area. The impact of this solar system is evident in the significant reduction in the hospitals' conventional energy needs, even amid increased operating hours to meet growing demands for laundry services.

Solar as the Catalyst for Sustainability:

The story of the Veterans' Administration Hospitals in San Antonio and Kerrville is one of visionary energy transformation. Under the capable subcontracting of Industrial Solar Technology and with the leadership of Johnson Controls, Inc., these hospitals embraced solar technology as a means to reduce their environmental footprint and energy costs. The installed 320 SunEarth flat plate collectors, accompanied by thoughtful system designs and thermal storage, have effectively reduced the hospitals' reliance on conventional energy sources, delivering sustainable energy solutions that align with modern environmental objectives.

Contact Information:

As hospitals in San Antonio and Kerrville continue to enhance their operational efficiency while lowering energy costs, the photos captured within the facilities' premises stand as a testament to their unwavering commitment to sustainable energy solutions. The advancements achieved through these solar systems underscore the potential for the healthcare industry to champion eco-friendly practices and significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

 

Veterans' Administration Hospital Projects

 

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