U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort that aggressively drives innovation to make solar energy fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources before the end of the decade. Through SunShot, the Energy Department supports efforts by private companies, universities, and national laboratories to drive down the cost of solar electricity to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. Click here to read more about BCAP’s involvement in the SunShot Initiative.

What IKEA can teach us about the future of solar and energy efficiency in Texas

Posted on by Kamaria Greenfield
The big box furnishings retailer is going 100% renewable by 2020. A new solar-powered store near Dallas is the latest step.   By 2020, IKEA aims to be completely energy independent. Over 90% of its United States locations already have at least some rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, including a brand new 181,500 square foot, 1.25MW array on top of IKEA Grand Prairie. This is the company’s fourth rooftop solar installation in Texas. The flat-pack furniture retailer isn’t alone: o...
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Five reasons solar PV is the future of clean energy in Albuquerque

Posted on by Kamaria Greenfield
Sun belt status About 300 days of sunshine a year makes New Mexico’s most populous city an ideal candidate for solar PV. Albuquerque is one of the only major cities that receives, on an average day, more than six kilowatt hours per square meter of surface area. Strong local leadership Last September, the Albuquerque City Council voted unanimously to work towards getting 25% of the city government’s energy needs from solar by 2025. Several municipal facilities in the area have alr...
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National Market Survey for Architects, Engineers, and Design Professionals

Posted on by Sara Smith
The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) needs insights from architects, engineers, and design professionals across the country. BCAP is conducting a national market evaluation in 2017  to help better inform efforts to develop effective training for design professionals. Our overall goal is to support strong growth in the design industry for the benefit of architects, engineers, and their clients.  Participants who complete the market survey will be entered to win one of six $100 Amazon g...
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What does the next chapter of energy efficiency look like for Austin?

Posted on by Kamaria Greenfield
by Kamaria Greenfield, BCAP When Texans look to their state capital, they see a diverse and sprawling metropolis of just under a million people, a vibrant cultural and economic hub, and a downtown skyline undergoing rapid transformation. Less visible is the city’s long and continued commitment to the energy efficiency of its built environment. Austin stands as a fine example of how a city can go beyond minimum statewide requirements to give its residents a better, greener future. In addition ...
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Miami takes the next STEP with solar training for design professionals

Posted on by Kamaria Greenfield
by Kamaria Greenfield, BCAP As of last summer, Florida’s energy code incorporates Section 406 of the 2015 IECC: the Energy Rating Index. This provision – which includes a backstop to ensure an efficient building envelope – represents a huge opportunity to integrate the power of renewable energy into new building designs. With over 100,000 new housing unit permits authorized in 2015 alone, Florida is a state poised to have a huge impact on national building energy usage patterns in the coming ...
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How these 22 cities could shape the future of solar photovoltaics

Posted on by Kamaria Greenfield
by Kamaria Greenfield, BCAP The year 2030 is a meaningful one across the world of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Architecture 2030 challenge aims to have all new buildings, developments, and major renovations be carbon neutral by this date. As a result of the Paris climate agreement, many countries have made pledges to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions on this same timeframe. And last month, the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative announced their own 2030 targets: a ...
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Timely Solar Training for Design Professionals Coming Soon

Posted on by Kamaria Greenfield
by Maria Ellingson, BCAP Program Director NOTE: This blog post is part of the SunShot Initiative’s series on solar and real estate. Read all the posts here. Learn more about the SunShot Initiative and register for training hereAmerica’s demand for solar energy is spreading - and fast. In just the last eight years, solar electricity generation has increased 30 fold and solar jobs are growing 12 times faster than the rest of the economy. Recent federal policies are making solar even more favorab...
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