Where saving the world meets the pocket book
Concerned about ever more abundant evidence of the perils of climate change, Americans are getting ready to act not only on the government level but also individually. One of the best choices to get our sky-high carbon footprint of 15 metric tons per person down is going solar. (Of the bigger countries only Australia, Canada and Saudi Arabia have a bigger footprint). 40% of the carbon footprint comes from building emissions. Going solar for buildings is not only as effective as improving transportation (another 40%), the two can be linked with solar as the power source for electric vehicles.
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Solar panel layout on a house showing the annual solar irradiance (Namaste, Colorado)
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But global concerns and responsibilities don't move the needle unless acting responsible also works for the pocketbook. Luckily, going solar is increasingly becoming a "no brainer". PV panel prices have decreased by as much as 80%. The new federal Inflation Reduction Act offers a 30% incentive and for businesses accelerated depriciation and many states and utilities offer a host of incentives.
With an increasing number of jurisdictions prohibiting gas as a fuel for heating, cooking or hot water for new construction or major rehabs, electric demand will go up and the cost of electricity will become even more the focus of the operating cost of buildings of all kinds and sizes. Producing solar electricity on site is not only an obvious measure to offset.....
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[Klaus] Philipsen FAIA
Archplan Inc. Philipsen Architects
Baltimore MD
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