Skylight Efficiency
Cool roof technology is increasingly popular as more schools increase roof insulation to reduce HVAC capital expense and year-round operating cost.
While skylights are desirable for their ability to bring light into otherwise dark interiors, they also function as rooftop solar collectors and hinder the ability of cool roof technology to help reduce air conditioning operating costs.
Read More Precast Solar Footings
FLORENCE, Colo. – Holcim’s Portland cement plant recently started powering its operations with 528 solar panels, each of which are attached to Oldcastle Precast solar panel foundations. 
The panels will provide 156,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year to the Holcim plant. They are arranged in four units, with each unit accommodating 24 conventional solar panels made of polycrystalline silicone.
Read More AIA Committee Names Top 10 Projects
The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment released its annual top 10 list for sustainable architecture and green design. The program, in its 14th year, showcases projects that feature an integrated approach to architect, natural systems and technology. The list was compiled by a jury of design professionals.
355 11th Street Matarozzi/Pelsinger Building, San Francisco; Aidlin Darling Design
Read More Platinum Shopping
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Green Circle Shopping Center, located south of downtown Springfield, features some of the greenest retail spaces in the country.
The 23,000-square-foot outdoor mall, which recently received LEED Platinum from the USGBC, uses solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling to reduce energy expenses and carbon emissions.
High-Security LEED Silver
SALINAS, Calif. — The greening of corrections in California continues with a new $20 million mental health facility in Salinas, the first new state prison building to achieve LEED Silver certification.
The USGBC awarded LEED Silver certification to the 36,000-square-foot mental health treatment facility in recognition of a range of sustainability strategies and cost-saving measures, which are projected to cut water use in half and reduce energy consumption by one-third, officials say.
Read More Alcatraz Goes Solar With 1,360 Panels
SAN FRANCISCO — The former federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island will once again play a role in removing harmful elements from the community after plans emerged for a solar energy system that will reduce carbon emissions from “the Rock.”
Approximately 1,360 solar panels are being installed on the main prison building and ancillary structures to replace two aging diesel generators that power facility operations on the island, according to the National Park Service, which operates Alcatraz.
Read More Florida Solar Power Grant Targets Schools
COCOA, Fla. – The University of Central Florida solar energy research center received a $10 million state to install solar energy panels on 90 K-12 Florida schools that double as emergency shelters.
State officials awarded the funds from $126 million that Florida was provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to invest in alternative energy projects.
Read More S.F., L.A. Top Green Commercial Building Lists
SAN FRANCISCO — In a listing of top U.S. cities for green commercial development and commercial energy saving initiatives, San Francisco ranked highest as having the best green office market conditions, according to the first-ever Green Building Opportunity Index.
In a second study of the efficiency of some of the nation’s greenest commercial buildings, produced by the EPA, San Francisco ranked third, dropping one spot from last year’s report.
Read More New Green Building Code Introduced
WASHINGTON – The nation’s leading organizations in building-code development and energy and lighting engineering announced the launch of the first nationwide standard set of green building codes, the International Green Construction Code Public Version 1.0.
The green building code system, which conforms to existing International Code Council codes, was designed to give professionals in the construction industry a standard method of developing high-performance green commercial buildings.
IGCC Public Version 1.
Read More Denver Office Planned for Platinum Certification
DENVER – The developers of a $120 million downtown office building are applying for LEED Platinum certification.
If approved, the 22-story, 545,000-square-foot building owned by Westfield Co. Inc. would become the tallest, greenest office building to open in downtown Denver in 20 years, according to reports. Final LEED certification will be determined upon project completion, which is scheduled for April.
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