As construction shapes the world today, it determines our energy consumption for decades to come. Right now, the built environment’s energy footprint is enormous.
According to the International Energy Association, buildings and construction account for 30% of global energy consumption and 27% of energy sector emissions. Collectively, the built environment accounts for nearly 40% of gross carbon emissions, making it an important part of a greener, more sustainable future.
As a result, a survey by Dodge Construction Network found that 90% of U.S. engineering and construction companies receive customer requests to lower their construction project’s carbon footprint.
To help solve this problem, designers, developers, and builders are increasingly turning to rooftop solar solutions to provide reliable renewable energy to power facilities of all sizes.
Throughout the last decade, the Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that the sector has experienced an annual growth rate of 33% as rapidly declining costs, federal and state policies, and consumer demand propel adoption.
Globally, a record number of renewable energy capacity will come online this year, with two-thirds of this capacity coming from photovoltaic solar solutions.
However, relying exclusively on rooftop solar limits impacts, as everything from supply chain constraints to finite rooftop real estate limits power generation potential.
That’s why stakeholders throughout the built environment, from architects and designers to construction managers and buyers, should consider new forms of solar energy as they innovate to make buildings as sustainable as possible.
Diversifying Solar to Maximize Impact
Buildings aren’t limited to rooftop solar panels to enable renewable energy generation. A growing number of solar solutions, including transparent solar windows, solar shingles, solar canopies, and more, are expanding solar power options for the built environment.
By diversifying solar, stakeholders unlock numerous benefits across the value chain, including:
● Increasing solar density: New solar technologies like transparent solar windows offer the potential to maximize onsite solar energy production. By utilizing passive building surfaces like windows, the solar energy density can be increased without compromising the function of the building.
● Space optimization: Traditional rooftop solar panels occupy a lot of space. By integrating solar technology into building materials, valuable rooftop space can be freed up for other needs.
● Code compliance and future proofing: Implementing solar windows in construction designs helps meet existing requirements for onsite renewable energy and prepares buildings for potential future changes in codes or the introduction of carbon taxes.
● Design flexibility: While sustainability is a top priority for buyers, most don’t want to compromise aesthetics in the process. By diversifying solar power options, stakeholders can enable solar energy generation without compromising the architectural vision, leading to aesthetically pleasing and visually appealing designs.
The built environment is expansive, and diversifying solar power generation options expands opportunities for renewable energy to make the most impact in any circumstance.
How Leaders Can Adapt
The expansion of solar-powered renewable energy resources is an emerging trend that has only just gained very early adoption, requiring construction and industry leaders to evolve alongside new technologies.
Leaders must be proactive in their development, engaging with pioneers in the field, working with existing projects and initiatives, and even sponsoring demonstration installations to understand the practical aspects of a diversified solar power ecosystem.
At the same time, stakeholders will need to:
● Learn from experts and market feedback: Ask challenging questions to promote understanding and innovation while leveraging market feedback to adapt and improve current models and approaches.
● Understand regulatory imperatives: Federal and local regulatory guidelines and policies provide numerous incentives for implementing solar technologies.
● Invest in pilot projects: These efforts provide firsthand experience with solar-powered construction. They are a testing ground to evaluate feasibility, benefits, and challenges. They will also educate you on how to scale deployment.
● Pursue industry partnerships: Collaborate with solar technology providers, suppliers, and design specialists, leveraging these relationships to access innovative technologies, financing options, and market insights.
Leaders across stakeholder entities will catalyze solar adoption across the built environment, and a proactive approach will shorten the learning curve for every entity.
Solar-powered Glass: A Case Study in Renewable Diversification
Not all buildings are created equally when it comes to onsite renewable energy planning. They are designed for specific purposes and bound by various locational and regulatory constraints. Maximizing the renewable energy potential of a building increasingly gets harder the taller it is. That’s why looking beyond the rooftop is essential for meeting future onsite renewable energy requirements.
The energy impact of transparent solar windows can be meaningful, potentially offsetting a double-digit percentage of total building energy consumption. The financial impact is also meaningful, converting the building’s window area into a return-based investment that generates income and qualifies for federal and local solar incentives.
With a trend toward more highly-glazed buildings, transparent solar windows will enhance the financial and energy performance of those buildings, while providing the building owner with additional tools to improve underlying project performance.
Constructing a Solar Future
The construction industry's transformation toward a greener, more sustainable future is a dynamic and ongoing process. As the demand for lower carbon footprints continues to escalate, the adoption and diversification of solar-powered solutions are more vital than ever.
Innovative approaches, such as solar-powering technologies that transform the energy capabilities of surfaces like window glass, push the boundaries of what’s possible, showcasing how architectural aesthetics can blend with energy efficiency and energy production.
The role of construction and industry leaders in this journey cannot be understated. By remaining proactive, staying committed to continuous learning, understanding regulatory imperatives, investing in pilot projects, and pursuing strategic partnerships, they hold the key to unlocking the full potential of solar-powered construction.
