Building Tomorrow: Renewable Energy Technologies in New Construction

Chosen theme: Renewable Energy Technologies in New Construction. From the first pencil sketch to the final commissioning walk-through, we explore how modern builds weave solar, storage, heat pumps, and smart controls into architecture that is efficient, resilient, and beautifully future-ready.

Designing Net-Zero From the Ground Up

Daylight, shading, and cross-ventilation reduce loads so renewables can carry more of the building’s needs. Passive House strategies regularly slash heating demand dramatically, making smaller solar arrays and batteries surprisingly effective. Tell us your favorite passive design move that changed a project’s energy story.

Solar PV and BIPV: Turning Surfaces Into Power Plants

Rooftop PV Sizing With Future Loads in Mind

Consider today’s consumption and tomorrow’s electric vehicles, induction cooking, and heat pumps. Reserve rooftop pathways for maintenance, align arrays with prevailing winds, and plan inverter capacity for expansion. What growth do you anticipate in your building’s electric loads over the next five years?

BIPV Facades and Skylights for Elegant Generation

Glass-glass modules can double as shading devices, balustrades, or curtain walls, generating power while moderating glare and heat. BIPV requires careful detailing for waterproofing and code compliance, yet the aesthetics can be stunning. Would you install a power-generating canopy on your next build?

A Real-World Story: Powering a Mid-Rise With Sunlight

A 40-unit infill project oriented its stair core for a south-facing BIPV screen, offsetting common-area loads. By coupling the array with efficient lighting and occupancy sensors, the team trimmed operating costs sharply. Share your favorite solar-plus-efficiency combo that worked better together.

Heat Pumps and Geothermal: Clean Comfort for All Seasons

Variable-speed compressors, vapor injection, and thoughtful sizing keep performance steady even as temperatures plunge. Tight envelopes allow smaller equipment and quieter operation. If you live in a chilly region, tell us what defrost strategies or backup plans gave you peace of mind.

Heat Pumps and Geothermal: Clean Comfort for All Seasons

Boreholes under lawns or parking areas offer stable temperatures for exceptional efficiency and longevity. While drilling adds cost, operational savings and comfort often pay dividends. Would your site accommodate vertical bores or a horizontal loop? Share your ground conditions and design curiosities.

Smarter Buildings: Storage, Controls, and Load Shifting

Lithium iron phosphate chemistries offer stable performance and long cycle life, while enclosures and ventilation manage thermal risks. Locate systems with code-compliant clearances and service access. Which storage technology intrigues you most for your next project, and why?

Microgrids and Community-Scale Resilience

In windy corridors with clear exposure, small turbines can complement solar’s midday profile. Sound, turbulence, and zoning require careful review, yet the blend can stabilize output. Have you measured wind resources on your site, or partnered with neighbors to test feasibility?

Microgrids and Community-Scale Resilience

Critical loads panels, transfer switches, and labeled circuits simplify safe operation during outages. Commissioning drills ensure everyone knows what stays on. Which spaces in your building must never go dark, and how would you prioritize them during a grid event?

Materials, Embodied Carbon, and Certifications That Matter

Specify SCM-rich mixes, recycled steel, and responsibly sourced timber to shrink upfront emissions. Efficient assemblies reduce waste and simplify air sealing. What materials have you successfully swapped to cut carbon without derailing schedules or budgets?

Materials, Embodied Carbon, and Certifications That Matter

Performance pathways reward airtightness, energy intensity, and renewable integration. Early modeling helps align points, incentives, and documentation. Which certification motivates your team and stakeholders most, and how do you manage compliance without paperwork overload?

Financing, Policy, and Making the Business Case

In the United States, the Investment Tax Credit supports solar and, increasingly, storage, while many regions offer rebates or grants for heat pumps. Similar programs exist globally. What local incentives have you used, and how did they shape your design scope or schedule?

Financing, Policy, and Making the Business Case

Owners and tenants can align through cost-sharing clauses, performance guarantees, and demand-response revenue. Utilities may offer grid services tariffs for flexible buildings. Would a green lease help your project adopt more renewables? Share your template wish list and must-have clauses.