Energy

Goals Help protect the environment and increase community economic efficiency by promoting alternative energies, specifically solar panels and green roofing. Develop codes for both solar panels and green roofing for which statewide programs and incentives apply Include the following flexibility codes developer-based incentives for green building points program for development find ways to promote and market existing technology and incentives

Solar Energy Potential Kentucky has a great deal of solar energy potential that may be utilized. – Kentucky has 4.5 sunlight hours – Florida has 5.3 sunlight hours (Inter-County Energy Cooperative, 2011). (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2008).

Considerations for Solar Building Codes Safety: – Electric solar system components must have a UL listing and must comply with the National Electrical Code Aesthetics: – Should blend in with the building Solar Access: – To protect shorter buildings from shadows cast by taller buildings Flexibility Codes – To allow for future technologies and home made solar panels (Honey Electric Solar, Inc., 2011

Home Made Solar Panels Home made solar panels will cost well under $200 and the parts are easy to come by. Some of the tools used: Lumber, Plexiglas, Silicone Caulk, Wire, Diode, Wire, and Screws. Which are all easily obtained at local hardware stores. The hardest part to get will be the actual solar cells which you can find on eBay for very low prices. Solar cells on eBay can cost anywhere from $10-$50 dollars depending on who the seller is.

Encouraging Solar Panel Usage “Incentives are a large, if not the largest, factor in the growth of installed solar capacity.” – Brightstar Solar For single-family residences As a group, the largest potential market for solar energy. Startup costs can be prohibitive. For builders & developers Density Bonus Bid Preferences Permit Expediting For commercial, institutional, and government buildings

Commercial, Institutional, Government Recommendations: – Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Facilitate conditional permitting for retrofits. Limit number of permit fees on combined building applications (CR Solar Energy Stds.) Promote existing Corporate Tax Incentives and Exemptions The ESPC concept can be used for many project scales and types, but may be especially effective when applied to well- established commercial, governmental or institutional entities looking to retrofit for better green compliance.

Green Roofing Codes Standard E2396 – Standard Testing Method for Saturated Water Permeability of Granular Drainage Media for Green Roof Systems Standard E2397 Standard Practice for Determination of Dead Loads and Live Loads Associated with Green Roof Systems Standard E2398 Standard Test Method for Water Capture and Media Retention of Geocomposite Drain Layers for Green Roof Systems Standard E2399 Standard Test Method for Maximum Media Density for Dead Load Analysis of Green Roof Systems Standard 2400 – Standard Guide for Selection, Installation, and Maintenance of Plants for Green Roof Systems

Green Roofing Examples Chicago, Illinois – The city of Chicago offered 20 grants for $5,000 to construct a green roof Small commercial buildings must be less than 10,000 square feet Must maintain green roof for at least 5 years Toronto Canada Green Roof Incentive Pilot Program $10,000 for single property owners and $100,000 for other property owners Any property owner is eligible as long as they have a water account with the city Codes were created to help with storm water drainage and improve city water quality

Other Recommendations How$mart KY program from the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development – Partnership with electric cooperatives to pay for the costs of retrofitting their customers’ homes. – The customers, then, pay for the costs out of the average energy savings generated by the efficiency upgrades Solar Map – Help promote alternative energies and help residents to select the best energy solution for their homes – The map could, perhaps, be created and updated yearly by either web design students or GIS students at Eastern Kentucky University.

Bibliography Chief Executive Office of the County of Los Angeles. 3 19, (accessed April 2, 2011). Honey Electric Solar, Inc. "Recent Solar Electric Projects." Honey Electrical Solar, Inc (accessed April 2, 2011). Inter-County Energy Cooperative. "Wind and Solar In Kentucky." Inter-County Energy Cooperative (accessed April 5, 2011). National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "Solar Maps." National Renewable Energy Laboratory. October (accessed April 4, 2011). U.S. Energy Information Statistics. "Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State." U.S. Energy Information Statistics. March 11, (accessed April 4, 2011).