Solar Water Heating Systems for State Facilities

Administrative Directive No. 98-03, "Policy Governing the Use of Solar Water Heating Systems for State Facilities", was made effective on January 1, 1999 and requires that all plans and designs for new or renovated facilities using state funds or located on state land and incorporating the use of hot water must include a comparative analysis to determine the cost-benefit of using a conventional water heating system or a solar water heating system. The analysis must be based on the projected life-cycle costs to purchase and operate the water heating systems. If the life-cycle analysis is positive, the facility must incorporate solar water heating. If water heating entirely by solar is not cost-effective, the analysis must also evaluate the life-cycle, cost-benefit of solar water heating for preheating water. To implement this Directive, each Department must be responsible for conducting an analysis for every facility which provides hot water. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism will develop guidelines for conducting a life-cycle cost analysis.