An executive order from President Barack Obama requires federal agencies to get at least 30% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
To meet this mandate, agencies are considering retrofitting buildings including, in some cases, the restoration of the original interior plans and the addition of PVs. Many buildings constructed before 1940 were built with daylighting and natural ventilation.
Over the years, the interior of those historic buildings may have been divided into private offices. Agencies could restore those spaces to their original look, thereby returning daylight.
Many federal buildings’ rooftops will likely be outfitted with solar panels. Some structures will require roof replacement as part of solar projects. Some will also require electrical service upgrades.
Related Stories
Sustainability | Sep 19, 2016
Brussels’ Botanic Center apartment block looks to live up to its name with the addition of 10,000 plants and a rooftop “Chrysalis”
The project, which has been commissioned and is in the design phase, would eliminate CO2 and produce its own energy.
Energy | Sep 13, 2016
Oberlin College to hold conference on post-fossil fuel economy
The gathering will address climate change and new sources of energy.
Sustainability | Aug 30, 2016
New federal project plans must include climate impacts
Agencies must quantify the specific impacts when possible.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 17, 2016
Investor Confidence Project aimed at raising trustworthiness on energy efficiency projects
The new initiative screens projects to see if they are investor-ready.
Sponsored | Energy Efficiency | Jul 27, 2016
Metal Roofs Have Solar Advantage
A large roof can become a resource that saves significant money on energy consumption and helps reduce emissions of CO2 and it turns out metal roofs make excellent hosts for solar panels.
Sponsored | Energy Efficiency | Jul 8, 2016
Solar carports power Major League Soccer stadium in Utah
Wanting to capitalize on the abundant energy produced by the sun, the Real Salt Lake professional soccer club built carports in the parking lot using MBCI metal roofing with solar panels. The panels generate 73% of the stadium’s total power needs.
Energy Efficiency | Jun 13, 2016
The nation’s largest net zero-plus commercial building retrofit opens in L.A.
The goal of the Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute is for this structure to become a model for emergency operations centers for communities.
Sustainability | Jun 8, 2016
New program certifies the performance of existing buildings in the U.S.
BREEAM USA, an offshoot of a program already in place in Europe, aims to ease the point of entry.
Sponsored | Energy Efficiency | May 16, 2016
Metal wall panels’ deep shadow lines break up massing of Georgia school
Marist School, a private Roman Catholic college preparatory school, creates a highly-sustainable structure on its campus.
Green | May 16, 2016
Development team picked for largest Passive House project in North America
The 24-story curved building would be 70% more efficient than comparable housing in New York City.