May 25 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Michael Hewlett Winston-Salem Journal, N.C.

The sun is popular in Davidson County these days, in big ways and small.

Last week, SunEdison committed to building a $173 million solar farm in the county. And Davidson officials also are looking at solar energy to cut down on utility costs.

The county's proposed $121.8 million budget includes $25,000 for a solar water-heating system for Lexington Senior Services on Alma Owens Drive.

Robert Hyatt, the county manager, said that this is just one of many ways in which the county is trying to be more environmentally friendly.

"It's not only a business decision," he said. "We think local government should be leading in the things we do as far as...renewable energy."

Rex Buck, the county's public works director, said county officials had been thinking about alternative sources of energy for the past two years.

A former assistant director in public works learned at a conference about the use of solar energy to heat water, Buck said, and brought the idea back to the county.

The solar water-heating system will consist of two parts -- solar collectors, or large black panels, and a water-storage tank.

The sun will heat the water circulating in solar collectors, which are mounted on the roof, and the heated water will be pumped through pipes to the water-storage tank, Buck said. Electrical controls ensure that the water doesn't get so hot that it turns into steam.

The storage tank will be well insulated and maintain a constant temperature of 150 degrees. It will have enough capacity to handle several days' worth of hot water. A fan will transfer heat from the water tank through a ventilation system to help heat the building, Buck said.

In February, county officials spent about $17,000 to install a similar system at the West Davidson Library. The new system has helped the county save about $200 a month in utility costs, county officials say.

More local governments are trying solar and other alternative sources of energy, said Glenn Barnes, a project director for the Environmental Finance Center at UNC Chapel Hill. Sometimes, municipalities have problems finding the money to pay for a solar system because they don't qualify for state and federal tax credits, Barnes said.

Right now, Davidson County is relying on local money to pay for its project, which is proposed for Lexington Senior Services. Commissioners would have to approve the $25,000 as part of its budget.

County commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the county's administration building at 913 Greensboro St. They have until June 30 to adopt the budget.

If the project at the Senior Services building is successful, county officials want to adopt solar power for other county buildings, Buck said.

"If we can demonstrate the savings to the taxpayers and county commissioners," he said, "there are possibilities we can expand this program."

Michael Hewlett can be reached at 727-7326 or at mhewlett@wsjournal.com.