VELUX 5-Star Skylight Specialist Contributes to Net Zero Berkeley Public Library Renovation

Working closely with VELUX Sales Representative Mike Price, 5-Star Skylight Specialist Naturalight Solar played a big role in the renovation of the West Berkeley branch library, installing 15 VELUX VCE 4646 and 14 FCM 4646 skylights, shown above during the framing phase, all with blinds.
Price worked with the project architect during the design phase and Naturalight Solar took the reins to complete and win the bid. They recommended adding blinds to all of the skylights for additional light control.
“It’s a very unique building because it’s designed to be very energy efficient,” Durand said. “The skylights are 27 feet off the floor, it has a lot of volume and the architect did an interesting thing with the skylight wells. They seem quite pleased with the effect of the skylights.”
Installation took one day and included using a lift to bring all of the skylights to the roof. Naturalight also coordinated with the building control company to assure that the skylights and blinds controls would properly communicate with the building’s controls computer. This included ordering a single VCE skylight to test the controls in the contractor’s shop before anything was installed on the building.
The skylights help the library achieve a net zero energy rating by bringing in plenty of natural light and using the chimney effect to pull in fresh air. The library relies on passive ventilation rather than a forced air system for cooling. Skylights and south-facing windows provide passive heating during winter months.
The building is also equipped with a photovoltaic array designed to produce more energy than it uses.
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