The project at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center spanned 16 months, with substantial upgrades wrapping up this month.
The work included installation of a rooftop solar panel system; replacing 7,000 lighting fixtures with LEDs and controls; converting boilers to a methane system fueled by a nearby landfill; and putting in high-efficiency electrical transformers and new heating and cooling equipment.
Officials say they’ll save about $534,000 in the first year. They expect to see a nearly 50% reduction in annual utility costs, and another $79,000 in operations and maintenance costs will be saved every year.