Renewable energy is an increasing concern for many people, whether they be private individuals installing solar panels for Vancouver homes or public institutions investing in wind farms. It also bodes well that companies like Terratek Energy to provide the expertise and resources to encourage this energy revolution. This emerging environmental consciousness can greatly help in assuring us that an eco-friendly future is in the offing. 

 

New_Downtown_Vancouver

 

One of the leading signs that renewable energy is becoming more widely-accepted is the use of solar energy in Vancouver office buildings. The installation of solar panels is a part of many builders’ aims to get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The Vancouver Sun reporter Bill Metcalfe recently wrote an article about this trend and its implications:

 

“LEED certification is now the de facto standard for new commercial construction, and soon will be for existing buildings as well,” says Thomas Mueller. He heads the Canada Green Building Council, which administers LEED in this country.

 

“Buildings generate about 35 per cent of all greenhouse gases and 35 per cent of landfill waste from construction and demolition, and 70 per cent of all municipal water is consumed in and around buildings,” Mueller says.

 

The Beauty of an LEED Certification

 

The push for LEED certification isn’t just limited to Vancouver though. The past few years have seen North American building designers following the lead of their European counterparts. This push for more environmentally-friendly building designs is spreading throughout the world as people become more aware of the costs and environmental impact of operating buildings that are not energy efficient.

 

Commercial buildings are notorious in their power consumption, 60 percent of which is devoted to heating and cooling. The addition of solar systems like solar panels for electrical generation and solar water heaters for heating can greatly reduce expenditures by providing alternate means of power. Wind turbines can also be installed on roofs to provide electricity to the building as well. 

 

Combined with efficient design, a building can be heated or cooled for a lot less thanks to renewable power systems. These sustainable technologies can significantly cut down on operating costs, providing an additional monetary benefit to owners. Saving money and protecting the environment should be motivation enough to pursue an LEED certification and for people to support such an endeavor.

 

(Source: Green construction means ‘good business’ for new downtown Vancouver office tower, The Vancouver Sun, May, 2, 2014)