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
| Jan 21, 2014
2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper
Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jan 20, 2014
BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland Conference 'call for 2014 educational proposals' is now open
The conference and exposition will take place September 29-October 1, 2014, at North America’s largest LEED Gold-certified hotel, the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza. Deadline for proposals is February 28, 2014.
| Jan 17, 2014
Crystal Bridges Museum will move Frank Lloyd Wright house from New Jersey to Arkansas
Numerous architectural experts have concluded that moving the Bachman Wilson House offers its best hope for long-term survival.
| Jan 17, 2014
Australian project transforms shipping containers into serene workplace
Australian firm Royal Wolf has put its money where its mouth is by creating an office facility out of shipping containers at its depot and fabrication center in Sunshine, Victoria.
| Jan 17, 2014
The Starchitect of Oz: New Gehry building in Sydney celebrates topping out
The Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology, Sydney, will mark Frank Gehry's debut project in the Australian metro.
| Jan 16, 2014
Construction spending for 2013 finishing 5% higher than 2012: Gilbane Construction Economics report
??Construction growth is looking up, according to the December 2013 release of the periodic report Construction Economics, authored by Gilbane Building Company. Construction spending for 2013 will finish the year up 5%.
| Jan 16, 2014
ASHRAE revised climatic data for building design standards
ASHRAE Standard 169, Climatic Data for Building Design Standards, now includes climatic data for 5,564 locations throughout the world.
| Jan 15, 2014
6 social media skills every leader needs
The social media revolution—which is less than a decade old—has created a dilemma for senior executives. While its potential seems immense, the inherent risks create uncertainty and unease.
| Jan 15, 2014
Report: 32 U.S. buildings have been verified as net-zero energy performers
The New Buildings Institute's 2014 Getting to Zero Status report includes an interactive map detailing the net-zero energy buildings that have been verified by NBI.
| Jan 14, 2014
Sherwin-Williams unveils colormix 2014
Drawing influence from fashion, science, nature, pop culture and global traditions, Sherwin-Williams introduces colormix™ 2014, which captures colors that inspire creativity and design in today’s world. The four-palette collection provides design professionals with a guide to help them define the moods they want to create and select colors for their projects.