Solar in Washington DC: Green Building, SEIA |
As the capital of America, the eyes of the nation are often on the District of Columbia. Yet although they have made good strides in the solar industry, they are not yet an industry leader. The renewable energy legislation, though good, could still be made stronger and more comprehensive. However, the legislation, which was implemented in 2005, requires that by 2022 11% of electrical power be from clean energy sources and .356% be from solar. This is a smaller percentage than many other states are implementing in recent green energy legislation, but it is certainly a start. But D.C. does not only focus on green energy, but also efficiency in building, promoted by the Green Building Requirement which applies to commercial buildings, schools, and state buildings. The requirements are different for different types of buildings, but many require the LEED 2.0 silver level standard. Once D.C. also sees the benefits of promoting solar energy, these buildings will be prime candidates for going solar to further the environmental (and future economic) benefits of going green.
Though the DC industry is still young, solar homeowners are still proud of their systems, and plan to show them off this October at the 20th Annual Metro Washington, DC Tour of Solar Homes and Buildings. The tour allows current solar homeowners to share how solar has helped them, financially and environmentally, while giving future solar homeowners a chance to ask all of the questions they might have to couples and families in similar positions to themselves. Going on the tour is simple. All it requires is downloading a 48 page guide, which acts as a passport to get into the homes as well as providing information about each of the homes.
In some ways DC is also a hub for the solar industry, in that it has been since 1974 home to SEIA: the Solar Energy Industry Association, which is the national solar energy industry trade association, which serves to govern policy regarding the solar industry, run by the Board of Directors, which is made up of over forty leaders in the solar industry, from both national and international companies. Split up into four main departments: Government Affairs, Meetings, Communications, and Membership, SEIA is a great unified voice for the industry. groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe is the Chair of the Photovoltaic Division, helping make sure that the needs of the PV industry are clear and met as well as possible in America.
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