Giving the Green Light

Energy efficiency ranked as the most frequently asked about sustainable building topic among clients, according to a 2007 survey of 250 U.S. builders by Green Builder Media, a media group that provides green building information and resources.

For electrical contractors, it’s a prime time to learn about alternative energy and sustainable technologies. “Consumers are becoming more educated about alternatives to conventional power generation, such as solar, wind and biomass,” says Rob Colgan, executive director of marketing for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), which provides training programs and resources for electrical contractors learning new energy technologies. “Effectively using these alternative methods of power generation, however, takes specific skills and experience with a wide array of new products.”

Learn about the latest trends in solar power and daylight harvesting so that you can stay ahead in the green market.

Photovoltaic Systems
Solar power technology that uses solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity is gaining in popularity in both residential and commercial applications. Today’s photovoltaic systems can be integrated into the building envelope, such as a roof or façade, and serve as both building material and power generator, according to Stephen Strong, founder of Solar Design Associates, a building design firm that focuses on integrating solar energy in homes and buildings.

“Building-integrated photovoltaic systems are a simple, perfectly green solution for generating power onsite,” says Mark Fisher, LEED AP, principal atIntegrated Design Associates, a San Jose, Calif-based consultancy providing electrical engineering and lighting design service for buildings.

Last fall, Fisher’s firm set new standards in sustainable electrical design with the opening of its zero-energy use, zero-carbon emissions Z2 Design Facility. Through its rooftop solar panels, the building is designed to produce more electric energy than it consumes and does not rely on fossil fuels for electricity, heating or cooling.

“The systems can cost upwards of $30,000 for a typical residential unit, but government rebate and tax incentives can cover up to two-thirds the cost of the system, and the remaining investment may take eight to 10 years to pay back—a fair payback for the customer,” Fisher says.

Fisher suggests that contractors make an alliance with a local solar cell installer. “Not only will you learn more about what it’s all about, you’ll get better pricing,” he says.

Daylight Harvesting
Daylight harvesting, an energy-savings and lighting control strategy, is ideal for offices and commercial applications. “Lighting controls equipped with automatic photo sensors can detect the level of daylight in a room and then dim or brighten the level of light in the room accordingly,” says Mike Mullaney, president and owner of Commercial Electrical Contracting in St. Petersburg, Fla.,

Combined with photocell sensors and occupancy detectors, daylighting—using sunlight to illuminate buildings—can significantly cut down on energy usage. Fisher’s Z2 Design Facility takes advantage of all three concepts. On most days, the lights are off until the sun sets and don’t come on unless the occupancy sensors detect that someone is present, he explains.

“The electrical loading of a commercial building is divided into three parts: cooling and heating, lighting and plug [appliances and equipment] loads,” Fisher says. “If lighting is one-third of the electrical use and if you can turn it off for three-quarters of a day when people are working, you can save a lot of energy.”