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Lighting Science Group illuminates first net-zero visitor center in US National Park

Oct. 4, 2012

Lighting provided by LSG in the visitor center of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area has been designed to use only 0.5 W/ft2. The center produces as much energy as it consumes and has applied for LEED Platinum certification.

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Lighting Science Group (OTCBB: LSCG), an LED lighting provider based in Satellite Beach, FL has announced that in a collaboration with the National Park Service, it has opened a net-zero visitor center in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Located in Los Angeles County, the visitor center is the first of its kind among nearly 400 National Parks.

The Beilenson Center "The beauty of this new visitor center is that it combines the old with the new to achieve the highest environmental standards," said park spokesperson, Kate Kuykendall. "In addition to the original architect's extensive use of natural lighting, we're proud to use LED lighting technology to decrease the carbon footprint of the facility."

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act provided $9.5 million in funding for the center's construction ensuring that all building materials are American made, including LSG's PAR38 lamps. "Lighting Science Group is proud to be part of this effort," said Keith Scott, chief commercial officer at LSG.

LSG Definity PAR38 lamp "Our bulbs will only use 0.5 W/ft² due to the energy efficiency of our LEDs and the unique design of this building. The low cost of today's LED technology makes this type of conservation available to a range of applications. Imagine the conservational impact if all the NPS visitor centers followed King Gillette Ranch's example," said Scott.

The 7000 ft² Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center sits on the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch located at the intersection of five major tributaries. The ranch includes the 1928 mansion designed by Wallace Neff for King Gillette, with the visitor center itself once serving as the ranch's original horse stables. Now repurposed with stringent energy efficiency measures, the Beilenson Center has applied for LEED Platinum certification. The center produces all of its energy needs through a 94 kW photovoltaic solar energy system.