Animal Care Building Awarded LEED Gold

MILPITAS, Calif. — A recently constructed animal care building in Northern California is the first Humane Society facility in the United States to earn LEED Gold certification, according to officials with the organization.

 

The photovoltaic system which went live in July, and the 274 KW solar parking shade structure and rooftop system, are comprised of 1,335 photovoltaic modules and provided an estimated 33 percent of all energy used the first day at HSSV’s Animal Community Center, and will create significant energy savings over the lifetime of the system, officials say.

 

Owned and operated by Tioga Energy, a producer of renewable energy services to commercial, government and non-profit institutions based in nearby San Mateo, the HSSV installation is the largest thus far in the city of Milpitas.

 

Carol Novello, president of the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, says the facility achieved Gold LEED certification recently through a variety of eco-friendly technologies such as investing in a premium HVAC system, practicing in high quality construction and by using low VOC products. These factors not only reduced electricity demands and water consumption, she says, but greatly enhanced the health and well-being of their animals.

 

In addition to installing a solar system, the Animal Community Center was constructed of 90% of recycled concrete and incorporates a number of energy and water efficiency technologies such as, efficient kennel cleaning, strategic building placement, artificial turf and onsite bioswales to capture and naturally cleanse rainwater runoff.

 

Novello believes that this progressive shift in animal care has proved to be an “inspiring model of humane care, community involvement and green building design for shelters nationwide.”