A property is considered a green building if it incorporates construction, design and operating practices that reduce any negative impact on humans and the environment. Buildings are “greener” if they reduce water use, install energy-saving appliances, selecting sustainable materials, improving waste management services and improving indoor air quality. A small commercial building may support an installation of five or six solar panels, while a large building may require dozens of panels. Under the federal solar energy investment tax credit (ITC), companies can apply for a one-time tax credit of up to 26 percent on the total cost of installing a solar energy system.
A photovoltaic solar panel can be very beneficial in areas where this type of variable speed over time is used, since the solar energy produced would compensate for the more expensive electricity. Green Buildings Council and Energy Star, awarded by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. By displaying solar irradiation levels and tools on your website, detailed solar information is provided for specific locations in the U.S. UU.
Solar energy can significantly reduce emissions while helping you meet your company's sustainability goals, including green building certifications. This blog will explore how facility managers can use solar energy to obtain green building certifications, reduce operating costs and meet their company's sustainability objectives. With these types of plans, the benefit of a solar system may depend on the household's electricity use; in certain areas subject to rates that increase dramatically as consumption increases, large homes (with large energy needs) may benefit more from solar panels that compensate for the high cost of marginal consumption. Even if the cost of solar energy is found to be slightly more expensive than electricity purchased from a utility company, homeowners may want to install solar energy to avoid future fluctuations in energy costs, or simply want to go beyond their personal financial motivations and use solar energy for green living.
Jenny Kim is the director of solar energy at Green Building Elements, where she is responsible for helping to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for anyone who wants to take advantage of the many benefits of solar energy. Solar energy is an effective strategy for facility managers to integrate green building practices into their properties. However, no matter how you look at it, solar panel systems are definitely an excellent choice for any commercial building. The main green building certification programs recognize the role that renewable energy can play in reducing emissions and expect certified buildings to have a strong clean energy strategy.
There are a growing number of certification programs that determine if a building is, in fact, green. The Pivot Energy team is prepared to support facility managers and other professionals in the search for a clean energy and green building strategy.
