TERRE HAUTE —
Hot water for showers is no problem for an inmate living unit equipped with a new solar energy system.
Building “P” at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility has been heating its water through solar panels installed on the roof of the maximum-security housing unit through a project that began in February.
“The system is up and running,” Roger Dagley, WVCF physical plant director, told the prison’s advisory board during a recent tour. “We have to hook up the data control. And we also have two flow meters to hook up to see where we are as far as energy usage.”
One of the those meters will be set up on the new solar-heated water system, while the other meter will be in a different housing unit, so that a comparison of energy usage can be developed.
During a recent check of the new system, which supplies solar-heated water to be used by the offender population for daily showers, every shower head had plenty of hot water in flow, Dagley said.
“P” building houses 200 inmates at the Carlisle prison. It now has 15 solar panels measuring 4 by 10 feet mounted on the roof, with pipes circulating water to the panels. That water will run to a secondary hot water tank to provide additional hot water for the showers and relieve some of the duty of the building’s boiler system.
The panels preheat water to temperatures of 165 degrees, and the system is sized to provide about 40 percent of the thermal energy needed to heat the water. The new system will offset the natural gas needed to heat the water, resulting in a cost savings.
The showers in the building are 18 years old, so as part of the project, the shower system was also exchanged for a more efficient one.
If the data collected on the new system supports a cost savings, the entire facility could be switched to solar-heated water.
Kevin Orme, director of construction services for the Indiana Department of Correction, said the efficiency of the solar panel system makes it a good project for county jails to look into.
“A single county jail can use the system on top of ‘P’ house,” Orme said. “It does work, and there is grant money out there for counties to use.”
The new system is a $75,000 investment into the building, and is expected to pay for itself in 15 years. The Department of Correction is figuring the system will save $6,000 per year in energy costs.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
News
Solar panels powering hot water in Wabash Valley Correctional Facility inmate living unit
- News
-
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
- More News Headlines
-
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Oklahoma Family Reflects on Lost Son
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
