AIA North Carolina Announces Solar Panel Array Installed on CfAD

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["strong"],["em"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/560681311897"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"RALEIGH, NC - March 3rd, 2023"],[0,[],0," \u2013 AIA North Carolina and the\nCenter for Architecture and Design are pleased to announce the installation of\ntheir new solar panel system and the achievement of net-positive energy status\nfor the building. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Since its design inception by Frank Harmon, FAIA in 2008, the\nNorth Carolina Center for Architecture and Design (CfAD) has always had\nsustainability at the forefront of its construction. With passive design\nfeatures such as the placement of the building concerning the sun\u2019s path, doors\nand windows placed strategically to utilize cross-ventilation, and the 12-foot\noverhang to help shade the building during the summer months, the goal was to serve\nas a role model of sustainable design for the state of North Carolina. The solar\npanels, however, had to be put on pause due to budget constraints initially."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cBecause it (the building process) had extended longer than\nanticipated, the issue that we were running into is what we weren\u2019t going to be\nable to build for the budget that had been established,\u201d said Walt Teague,\nFAIA, who served as the Project Director of the CfAD. \u201cPrices had increased and\nso to keep the project moving forward we had to make the difficult decisions\nabout what can we postpone but still maintain the sustainable integrity of the\nbuilding.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Even with these budget adjustments, the CfAD was only using 23%\nof the energy that a regular office building of the same size would use. \u201cIf\nyou use less energy, you pay lower utility bills and the CfAD saves about\n$31,000 a year,\u201d said Renee Hutcheson, FAIA who served as one of the\nSustainability Committee leads for the building process."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Fortunately, there have been advancements in alternative energy\nand the cost has come down for both solar panels and installation in the last\ndecade. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Over the past year, AIA North Carolina has worked with and\nreceived guidance from Southern Energy Management. With over 16,000 families\nand businesses positively impacted by Southern Energy Management\u2019s solar\ninstallations and green certifications, they were integral in creating the best\nsystem for the CfAD. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Starting with virtual models to view the sun\u2019s path over the\nCfAD, and working in partnership with Duke Energy\u2019s team, a design was created\nfor a 75 kW Solar PV System with 120 panels. Installation of the system took\nplace over the Fall of 2022 after working with Duke Energy to receive one of\ntheir North Carolina Solar Incentives to help cover a portion of the cost. The remaining\nportion of the cost has been financed into a loan with monthly payments replacing\nprevious energy bills. AIA North Carolina will regularly be producing an energy\nsurplus, sending energy back to the grid, and receiving monthly credits from\nDuke Energy. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"To celebrate, or "],[0,[1],1,"Solar"],[0,[],0,"brate if\nyou will, AIA North Carolina and Southern Energy Management will be hosting a\nSolarbration on April 19th at the Center for Architecture and Design at 14 East\nPeace Street in Raleigh from 4:00-6:00 PM. There will be demonstrations of the\nsolar panel system, networking with industry professionals and legislative\nrepresentatives, and refreshments for all. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"You can RSVP to the\nSolarbration at the link here"],[0,[],0,"."]]]]}