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Solar Window Film Saves Navy Money at Pearl Harbor

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080528-16
Release Date: 5/28/2008 5:42:00 PM

By Krista Stehn, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii Energy Team completed a solar window film project in early May, that allows the region to improve indoor comfort levels, while also meeting energy reduction goals.

"With the increasing cost of energy, the NAVFAC Hawaii Energy Team is constantly pursuing ways to reduce energy use throughout Navy Region Hawaii," said Greg Gebhardt, energy and utilities service manager, NAVFAC Hawaii. "The solar window film project is an easy way to reduce the region's energy consumption, while helping to create an even, comfortable temperature throughout a building."

The solar window film project was implemented in 11 region buildings, including its own headquarters. The $280,000 project has a two-year return on investment, and is estimated to save $130,000 annually.

Approximately 43,500 square feet of window space in office buildings, several bachelor enlisted and officer quarters, and the base police station at Pearl Harbor received the film.

"Using solar window film on building windows is a simple solution that will really make a difference," said Gebhardt. "It's just like putting tint on your car windows; it makes the vehicle's interior much more comfortable and the air conditioning doesn't have to work as hard."

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximately one third of an average building's cooling load is due to solar heat gain through windows. When sunlight hits a window, small amounts of solar heat is absorbed and reflected. However, most of it is transmitted through the glass. As a result, additional cooling is often needed to reduce the increased building temperatures created by solar heat gain. To keep occupants comfortable, additional cooling is required and energy costs rise. One proven way to reduce solar heat gain is with solar window film.

In its simplest form, window films are composed of an optically clear, micro-layered polyester film. A mounting adhesive layer and a protective release liner are applied to the other side of the film. When the release liner is removed, the side of the film with the adhesive is applied to the interior surface of the window.

"The manufacturer estimates that its solar window film rejects as much as 80 percent of the sun's heat," said Gebhardt. "In addition to the energy benefits, solar window film can eliminate up to 99.9 percent of ultra-violet rays, provide a uniform look to a building, and minimize damage from shattered or broken glass."

With air conditioning consuming approximately 35 percent of a building's energy costs in Hawaii, it is important for Navy Region Hawaii to find ways to improve its energy efficiency. Solar window film has been used in Hawaii for decades in cars, and is now providing the region with a simple solution to a current energy efficiency problem.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.