Phase 3, which incorporates the most NREL design concepts, will include a building materials warehouse and a chain hardware store. Net metering means that extra electricity produced by solar panels on the roof and not used by the building will be fed back to the utility, with credit given to the customer at the same rate as power purchased from the utility. Daylighting uses natural light as a primary source of light during daytime hours. The Bighorn Center's final design includes clerestory windows for daylighting and a south-facing transpired solar collector, or solar wall, for space heating. Consistent lighting levels will be maintained as the lights automatically dim or grow brighter based on sensor readings inside the building.
Ordinary ballasts keep lighting at a constant brightness - the lights are either fully on or off.
While innovative electric lighting and daylighting may seem like obvious components in a passive solar building, NREL senior research engineer Sheila Hayter explained that their use in a retail store is considered a bold move by the owner, who needs to guarantee his merchandise is consistently well lit for customers. The BigHorn Center's materials warehouse and hardware store also will sell energy efficient building products including some used in the Center's construction. NREL will continue research efforts on the building through monitoring and evaluation of the technologies.