The Los Angeles Business Council released the results of its study on the feasibility of installing solar panels on the city’s multifamily buildings to help meet California’s proposed law seeking 33% renewable energy by 2020, of which 70% would have to be generated from in-state resources. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has also called for one gigawatt of solar development in the city, including a feed-in-tariff (FiT) program.
The study reveals that the city has tremendous capacity for multifamily housing to contribute to a broad solar program, and that a significant portion of that rooftop capacity comes from buildings in economically depressed neighborhoods. Solar installations could therefore be used to create jobs, lower utility costs, and improve conditions for residents in these neighborhood.
The city’s total number of potential multifamily sites is in excess of 100,000, with the potential to handle solar installations capable of generating 1,411 MW (one megawatt of solar capacity should offset the energy needs of 100 homes), with 59 to 130 MW generated in each of Los Angeles’s 15 council districts. The study indicates that the sites best suited for this type of development are those capable of generating around 50kW, and there are enough of those sites to potentially generate 300 MW.
The study recommends the city institute a 300 MW program, which could offer a pay rate of 24 to 26 cents per kWh, enough to attract a significant number of interested property owners. The rate could be in direct payments, or in the case of a FiT, via a combination of payments and rebates. A 300 MW program would also directly and indirectly generate 4,500 jobs, as well as lower utility costs for many Angelinos, allowing them to live in a more affordable and sustainable environment. An additional benefit: a 300 MW program would reduce 6.7 million tons equivalent CO2 by replacing coal and 4.1 million tons equivalent by replacing natural gas—akin to taking 69,000 to 112,000 cars off the road.
Can a case be made for a similar program in your city?
Related Stories
Building Technology | Jun 18, 2024
Could ‘smart’ building facades heat and cool buildings?
A promising research project looks at the possibilities for thermoelectric systems to thermally condition buildings, writes Mahsa Farid Mohajer, Sustainable Building Analyst with Stantec.
University Buildings | Jun 18, 2024
UC Riverside’s new School of Medicine building supports team-based learning, showcases passive design strategies
The University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine has opened the 94,576-sf, five-floor Education Building II (EDII). Created by the design-build team of CO Architects and Hensel Phelps, the medical school’s new home supports team-based student learning, offers social spaces, and provides departmental offices for faculty and staff.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 18, 2024
A healthcare simulation technology consultant can save time, money, and headaches
As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, healthcare simulation is playing an increasingly vital role in the skill development, compliance, and continuing education of the clinical workforce.
Mass Timber | Jun 17, 2024
British Columbia hospital features mass timber community hall
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project in Duncan, British Columbia, features an expansive community hall featuring mass timber construction. The hall, designed to promote social interaction and connection to give patients, families, and staff a warm and welcoming environment, connects a Diagnostic and Treatment (“D&T”) Block and Inpatient Tower.
Concrete Technology | Jun 17, 2024
MIT researchers are working on a way to use concrete as an electric battery
Researchers at MIT have developed a concrete mixture that can store electrical energy. The researchers say the mixture of water, cement, and carbon black could be used for building foundations and street paving.
Codes and Standards | Jun 17, 2024
Federal government releases national definition of a zero emissions building
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new national definition of a zero emissions building. The definition is intended to provide industry guidance to support new and existing commercial and residential buildings to move towards zero emissions across the entire building sector, DOE says.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 14, 2024
AEC inspections are the key to financially viable office to residential adaptive reuse projects
About a year ago our industry was abuzz with an idea that seemed like a one-shot miracle cure for both the shockingly high rate of office vacancies and the worsening housing shortage. The seemingly simple idea of converting empty office buildings to multifamily residential seemed like an easy and elegant solution. However, in the intervening months we’ve seen only a handful of these conversions, despite near universal enthusiasm for the concept.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 13, 2024
Top 10 trends in the hospital facilities market
BD+C evaluated more than a dozen of the nation's most prominent hospital construction projects to identify trends that are driving hospital design and construction in the $67 billion healthcare sector. Here’s what we found.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 13, 2024
4 ways to transform old buildings into modern assets
As cities grow, their office inventories remain largely stagnant. Yet despite changes to the market—including the impact of hybrid work—opportunities still exist. Enter: “Midlife Metamorphosis.”
Affordable Housing | Jun 12, 2024
Studio Libeskind designs 190 affordable housing apartments for seniors
In Brooklyn, New York, the recently opened Atrium at Sumner offers 132,418 sf of affordable housing for seniors. The $132 million project includes 190 apartments—132 of them available to senior households earning below or at 50% of the area median income and 57 units available to formerly homeless seniors.
