flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum

Codes and Standards

Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum

Almost 50% more zero energy commercial buildings under construction in 2017.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | March 1, 2018

The number of net zero commercial buildings under construction in the U.S. and Canada in 2017 rose by nearly 50% over the previous year.

Though the total number of “emerging” net zero buildings, 279, is small, observers say interest in pursuing these projects has never been stronger and is growing quickly. “Zero energy” refers to buildings that generate at least 100% of their own power from renewable sources that are either onsite or built specifically for the project.

Sixty-seven commercial buildings have now been “verified” in the U.S. and Canada, according to a recent report from the New Buildings Institute. Steep drops in the cost of solar panels and improvements in their performance have been a key driver of the trend.

More economical PVs have prompted some owners to reach for net zero when they previously had seen that goal as cost-prohibitive. Codes and incentives are also influencing the growth of net zero buildings. More than half the emerging net zero buildings are in California, which has a stringent energy code and a mandate for all new state buildings to be designed for zero energy performance by 2020.

Related Stories

| Sep 22, 2022

Gainesville, Fla., ordinance requires Home Energy Score during rental inspections

The city of Gainesville, Florida was recently recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Energy for an adopted ordinance that requires rental housing to receive a Home Energy Score during rental inspections.

| Sep 19, 2022

New York City construction site inspections, enforcement found ‘inadequate’

A new report by the New York State Comptroller found that New York City construction site inspections and regulation enforcement need improvement.

| Sep 16, 2022

Fairfax County, Va., considers impactful code change to reduce flood risk

Fairfax County, Va., in the Washington, D.C., metro region is considering a major code change to reduce the risk from floods.

| Sep 13, 2022

California building codes now allow high-rise mass-timber buildings

California recently enacted new building codes that allow for high-rise mass-timber buildings to be constructed in the state.

| Sep 8, 2022

U.S. construction costs expected to rise 14% year over year by close of 2022

Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) is forecasting a 14.1% year-on-year increase in U.S. construction costs by the close of 2022.

| Aug 29, 2022

Montana becomes first U.S. state to approve 3D printing in construction

Montana is the first U.S. state to give broad regulatory approval for 3D printing in building construction.

| Aug 25, 2022

New York City’s congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic, cut carbon

Officials recently released an environmental assessment that analyzes seven different possible pricing schemes for New York City’s congestion pricing program.

| Aug 23, 2022

New Mass. climate and energy law allows local bans on fossil fuel-powered appliances

A sweeping Massachusetts climate and energy bill recently signed into law by Republican governor Charlie Baker allows local bans on fossil fuel-powered appliances.

| Aug 22, 2022

Gainesville, Fla., lawmakers moved to end single-family zoning

The Gainesville City Commission recently voted to advance zoning changes that would allow duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes to be built on land currently zoned for single-family homes.

| Aug 16, 2022

DOE funds 18 projects developing tech to enable buildings to store carbon

The Department of Energy announced $39 million in awards for 18 projects that are developing technologies to transform buildings into net carbon storage structures.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021