AIA North Carolina Announces Solar Panel Array Installed on CfAD
The Center for Architecture and Design has reached net-positive energy status and will celebrate with a public Solarbration in partnership with Southern Energy Management on April 19th.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RALEIGH, NC - March 3rd, 2023 – AIA North Carolina and the Center for Architecture and Design are pleased to announce the installation of their new solar panel system and the achievement of net-positive energy status for the building.
Since its design inception by Frank Harmon, FAIA in 2008, the North Carolina Center for Architecture and Design (CfAD) has always had sustainability at the forefront of its construction. With passive design features such as the placement of the building concerning the sun’s path, doors and windows placed strategically to utilize cross-ventilation, and the 12-foot overhang to help shade the building during the summer months, the goal was to serve as a role model of sustainable design for the state of North Carolina. The solar panels, however, had to be put on pause due to budget constraints initially.
“Because it (the building process) had extended longer than anticipated, the issue that we were running into is what we weren’t going to be able to build for the budget that had been established,” said Walt Teague, FAIA, who served as the Project Director of the CfAD. “Prices had increased and so to keep the project moving forward we had to make the difficult decisions about what can we postpone but still maintain the sustainable integrity of the building.”
Even with these budget adjustments, the CfAD was only using 23% of the energy that a regular office building of the same size would use. “If you use less energy, you pay lower utility bills and the CfAD saves about $31,000 a year,” said Renee Hutcheson, FAIA who served as one of the Sustainability Committee leads for the building process.
Fortunately, there have been advancements in alternative energy and the cost has come down for both solar panels and installation in the last decade.
Over the past year, AIA North Carolina has worked with and received guidance from Southern Energy Management. With over 16,000 families and businesses positively impacted by Southern Energy Management’s solar installations and green certifications, they were integral in creating the best system for the CfAD.
Starting with virtual models to view the sun’s path over the CfAD, and working in partnership with Duke Energy’s team, a design was created for a 75 kW Solar PV System with 120 panels. Installation of the system took place over the Fall of 2022 after working with Duke Energy to receive one of their North Carolina Solar Incentives to help cover a portion of the cost. The remaining portion of the cost has been financed into a loan with monthly payments replacing previous energy bills. AIA North Carolina will regularly be producing an energy surplus, sending energy back to the grid, and receiving monthly credits from Duke Energy.