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
| Aug 11, 2010
High-profit design firms invest in in-house training
Forty-three percent of high-profit architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms have in-house training staff, according to a study by ZweigWhite. The 2008-2009 Successful Firm Survey reports that only 36% of firms overall have in-house training staff. In addition, 52% of high-profit firms use an online training system or service.
| Aug 11, 2010
Help Wanted: Architect for $100 million 'Discovery Park' in Union City, Tennessee
The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation is identifying architects interested in designing a 50-acre, multi-million dollar complex in Union City, TN. Discovery Park of America will be a world-class, multi-faceted venue presenting exhibits and interactive experiences about history, nature, art, and science.
| Aug 11, 2010
Report: Fraud levels fall for construction industry, but companies still losing $6.4 million on average
The global construction, engineering and infrastructure industry saw a significant decline in fraud activity with companies losing an average of $6.4 million over the last three years, according to the latest edition of the Kroll Annual Global Fraud Report, released today at the Association of Corporate Counsel’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Boston. This new figure represents less than half of last year’s amount of $14.2 million.
| Aug 11, 2010
AIA to Congress: Act now to jump start building sector of economy
Tampa-based architect, Mickey Jacob, FAIA, unveiled the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Rebuild & Renew plan for both short- and long-term economic recovery to the House Committee on Small Business at a hearing October 7th.
| Aug 11, 2010
National Intrepid Center of Excellence tops out at Walter Reed
SmithGroup and The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF), a non-profit organization supporting the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families, celebrated the overall structural completion of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), an advanced facility dedicated to research, diagnosis and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HDR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest institutional building design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Institutional Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Walt Disney Family Museum planned in San Francisco
Construction is under way on a new museum dedicated to the man behind the Disney empire. Set to open this fall in San Francisco, the Walt Disney Family Museum will feature 10 galleries, starting with Disney's beginnings on a Missouri farm.
