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Energy subcommittee reports audits underway; LED and solar options discussed
Summary
The Energy Efficiency subcommittee updated the Sustainability Committee that three lighting audits are in progress, staff have already replaced many fixtures with LEDs, and a solar-implementation opportunity was being explored for the Clemson Central Rec Center via a provider named in the meeting.
The committee’s energy-efficiency subcommittee reported that the city’s public-building supervisor (Ron Stewart) is already pursuing three lighting audits of municipal buildings and that many facilities have already been converted to LED lighting.
At the meeting a subcommittee member summarized a 2022 audit that estimated a $36,000 retrofit could have saved roughly $5,600 per year; members noted retrofit costs have increased since 2022 and that proper disposal of older CFL fluorescent bulbs is now more expensive because of mercury-handling requirements. The subcommittee recommended awaiting the current audit results before proposing formal Council action.
Solar opportunity: A subcommittee member said they had engaged a solar organization identified in the meeting as “Sun United National” to include the Clemson Central Recreation Center in a potential grant application that targets towns with population under 10,000. The group said the solar organization trains and employs local workers and seeks Department of Energy funding for rural installations; staff will await the organization’s response.
LED health concerns and design: Committee members asked that LED conversions consider warmer, flicker‑free options; one member noted neurologists have raised concerns about some LED lighting effects and recommended fixtures with warmer color-temperature and reduced flicker.
Why it matters: Lighting and solar retrofits affect municipal energy costs and greenhouse-gas emissions. Audits will provide cost, savings and payback estimates for potential capital requests to City Council.
Next steps: Subcommittee will review completed audit reports from the three vendors and report back to the committee; staff and subcommittee will follow up with the solar organization as that opportunity develops.
