DDi - October 2010 - (Page 16)

16 | Quick Tips tips to consider before designing solar R evenues of the now $4 billion U.S. solar power industry grew by 36 percent in 2009, and the industry will continue to advance as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to make solar power just as costcompetitive as conventional sources of electricity by 2015. The DOE has also set a goal of making solar the source for between 10 percent and 15 percent of the nation’s energy by 2030; in 2006, it accounted for less than 0.1 percent. So, as solar power quickly becomes more commonplace and cost-effective, consider these four tips to incorporate it into your next retail project: roofing materials) and landscaping (planting deciduous trees, which shade during the summer and allow for buildings to “heat” during winter). programs, green building incentives, leasing/lease purchase programs and production incentives. Harness solar energy through active and passive design. “Active Solar” uses mechanical devices to capture, store and distribute solar energy that can then be purchased. Those mechanical devices include: —Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), which collects sunlight using reflective materials on a very large, utility scale. Dish engine systems and parabolic troughs are common CSPs used in solar thermal power plants. —Photovoltaics (PVs) use semiconductor materials to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Individual PV cells can be combined into modules to power everything from small electronics to corporate campuses. Retailers REI and Costco use PV to power their stores. —Solar Thermal Energy (STE) is a solar collector used to heat liquid systems or air systems. These collectors are typically flat plates used to heat water or a space. “Passive Solar” requires no mechanical systems and harnesses the sun’s power through building and site design techniques for heating or cooling. Examples include daylighting, exterior materials and colors (i.e. specifying light-colored, reflective Analyze both qualitative and quantitative solar-upgrade data. Energy Star provides free online tools to assist in determining the financial impact of proposed investments and achieving your energy reduction goals. Also consider and document the improvements that solar-energy strategies will have on your business, including greater potential profitability, increased employee comfort and productivity, increased customer satisfaction and an enhanced corporate image. Food for thought: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that companies that improve energy performance outperform their competitors by as much as 10 percent. Energy Star notes that a 10 percent decrease in energy costs for the average retail store has an equivalent impact on operating income as a 1.26 percent increase in sales. Take advantage of government programs. The Investment Tax Credit, part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, extends a 30 percent federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations until 2016. Other federal, state and local incentives include a variety of tax credits, grants, loans, rebates, industry recruitment/support, bond Think before you build. Consider the following strategies: —Building shape and orientation. Understand the sun’s path and how it moves across your site. Design your building to respond accordingly. —Roof specifications. PV panels have specific requirements for space, roof pitch, orientation and a roof’s load factor. Watch for obstructions to sunlight, as any shadows cast over the panels can affect operating efficiency. Check local codes and compare them to solar-energy installation requirements. —Timing. Be mindful that rebates and incentives you’re designing toward don’t expire by the time the project gets through approval. —Space for conduits. Avoid creating an eyesore on the exterior of your building; design space for conduits ahead of time. —Off-grid versus grid-tied systems. Off-grid systems power just the building only, but grid-tied systems allow you to sell your excess power back to the utility grid. Contact your local utility company to see if it’s possible to connect your project to its electrical grid. —Amy Scheckla-Cox, LEED AP is an associate at Mul, vannyG2 Architecture, which has designed stores, hotels, offices and developments that harness solar power. www.ddionline.com |ÊOc toberÊ2010 Photo: Courtesy of MulvannyG2 Architecture http://www.ddionline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - October 2010

Display & Design Ideas - October 2010
Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Shopper Insights
Quick Tips
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Design Snapshot
Design Snapshot
Jets/Giants Pro Shop
Coming to America
DDI 2010 State of the Retail Design Industry
Channel Focus: Menswear
CB2
Right Light
In-Store Technology
Product Spotlight
Calendar
Advertisers
Ownership Statement
Classifieds
Shopping with Paco

DDi - October 2010

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