GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER RECEIVES $850,000 GRANT TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS ON ROOFTOP

10.21.2008 -- The George R. Brown Convention Center is looking to the sun for part of its energy source as the result of a newly announced public-private partnership.

Houston Endowment Inc., a Houston-based philanthropy, has approved an $850,000 grant to help install a 100-kilowatt solar energy system on the roof of the downtown convention center. The pilot program calls for solar panels to be installed atop the 16-acre roof of the building in 2009. The balance of funding for the $1 million-plus project is still being pursued.

The solar energy system will be one of the largest installations in the region and is the start of a “green” roof vision and master plan for the convention center.  The project has been awarded to the Houston Architecture Foundation in partnership with the City of Houston, BP Solar and CenterPoint Energy.

“We are really pleased to fund this ‘greening’ of our city’s convention center,” said Larry Faulkner, president of Houston Endowment.  “Houston needs to remain at the forefront on energy and climate issues, and this effort will help to keep it there.”

Houston Mayor Bill White hailed the move.

“This is another step in making Houston the energy-efficiency capital of the world, and it shows once more how public-private partnerships can get things done efficiently,” White said.

The city’s Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department, which manages the building, also is considering plans to install small gardens on a portion of the roof.

“This is a natural step for us, since we’ve devoted so much of 2008 toward reducing our carbon footprint,” said Dawn Ullrich, director of the city’s Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department.

The GRB already relies exclusively on alternative energy as its power source. About 25 percent of all energy purchased by the City of Houston comes from green power, and since July all of the convention center’s energy has come from that amount through renewable energy credits purchased for the GRB through the city’s Energy Management Office. In Texas, virtually all green power comes from wind energy.

The City of Houston has led the way on a number of energy efficiency and green programs including being the largest municipality in the nation to procure renewable power for city facilities. Houston has also been selected as a Department of Energy 2008 Solar America City in recognition of its efforts to embrace renewable power.

The Houston Architecture Foundation will administer the solar power grant to the George R. Brown.

“We are excited to be a part of bringing a beautiful green roof to the George R Brown,” said Barrie Scardino, executive director of the Houston Architecture Foundation.

A steering committee including the private partners and the City of Houston will be responsible for executing the project.  The Houston Advanced Research Center will be the operational project manager for the implementation.  HARC will also analyze the energy generation characteristics of the system and provide a report on the impact and economics of solar in Houston.

The convention center already uses compostable food and beverage containers that turn back into soil within 90 days. The GRB also conserves energy and water, recycles and donates reusable goods. Recently, the GRB replaced its cooling towers with high-efficiency towers that reduce energy and water use by up to 40 percent.  Most of the improvements occurred during Mayor White’s administration.

“Reducing our environmental impact carries great meaning to our clients, too,” said Luther Villagomez, general manager of the GRB.  “Our green commitment is generating interest from several groups interested in booking their events at the George R. Brown.”