Everything Solar Forum

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Hi Keith,

Thank you very much for sharing this list with us. 

Could you say more to explain how all of these topics are policy-related?

Thank you,

Kat

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Sure, thanks for asking.

A large part of the policy impact comes down to federal research priorities, particularly at DOE. There was a comprehensive program of research, development, demonstration and outreach on passive solar and solar thermal systems that was cut by Reagan. Those were tough times at universities and national labs. That was a policy decision. A different decision could be made today.

Researchers for the most part can only submit proposals on topics that are solicited by DOE and other funding institutions. When funding slowly returned, the emphasis was on renewable electric power. DOE, et al., with few exceptions, has not solicited nor funded, passive solar or solar thermal research for decades. In contrast, for example, China, Israel and other countries continued funding solar thermal development, and upwards of 90% of buildings in those countries now have solar thermal hot water systems [M. Thomas. 90% of homes in Israel have a solar water heater. Why don't more Americans use them? Distilled 2023. https://www.distilled.earth/p/90-of-homes-in-israel-have-a-solar]. Again, a difference in policy decisions.

University professors typically teach graduate courses on topics that align with their research. Doing so provides training for the graduate students working on those research projects, some of whom become professors themselves and teach courses and do research on the same topics. No research on ambient energy for buildings, for instance, means that the pipeline of expertise on that topic dries up. The lack of educational opportunities at the graduate level trickles down the undergraduate and primary levels. The root cause is a policy decision.

With little education on the topic, chances diminish that building simulation and building code developers, and even federal policy makers, will know about and incorporate principles of ambient energy. Thus, we get the codes and standards we have today, like IECC 2021 that essentially prohibits passive solar heating. We also get energy policy that neglects the potential of ambient energy. We don't get software that helps architects and builders design ambient-conditioned buildings.

A visible demonstration program in the pre-Reagan era monitored and reported performance of passive solar homes, often at the ASES National Passive Solar Conference and other venues. Publicity emanated from these conferences and created interest from architects and builders, and demand from consumers. Approximately 200,000 passive solar homes were constructed between 1976 and 1986. Funding cuts meant no more demonstrations, loss of interest and the eventual death of the Passive Solar Conference. A policy decision.

Jennifer Granholm could establish a DOE Office of Ambient Energy for Buildings tomorrow (OK, maybe she would have to ask Biden!) and change the trajectory of our energy/climate strategy to a more logical, economical, resilient and equitable direction.

Hi Keith,

Thank you very much for sharing this list with us. 

Could you say more to explain how all of these topics are policy-related?

Thank you,

Kat

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Debbie,

Great idea. I copied below the Key Messages from our workshop white paper. By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? Good plan to involve Solar Building Division members. Feedback welcomed from this forum, as well.

Key Messages

1.   Ambient energy (from sun, air, ground, and sky) can heat and cool buildings; provide hot water, ventilation and daylighting; dry clothes; and cook food. These services account for about three-quarters of building energy consumption and a third of total US demand. Biophilic design (direct and indirect connections with nature) is an intrinsic adjunct to ambient energy systems, and improves wellness and human performance.

2.   The current strategy of electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not meet our climate goals, because the transition to an all-renewable electric grid is too slow. Widespread adoption of ambient energy is needed. Solar-heated buildings also flatten the seasonal demand for electricity compared to all-electric buildings, reducing required production capacity and long-term energy storage. In addition, ambient-conditioned buildings improve resilience by remaining livable during power outages. 

3.   National policies, incentives, and marketing should be enacted to promote ambient energy use. Federal administrative priorities should reflect the importance of ambient energy for buildings. Use of ambient energy should be encouraged through existing and new building codes and standards.

4.   Ambient energy system design tools are needed for architects, engineers, builders, building scientists, realtors, appraisers, and consumers. PVWatts is used over 100 million times per year for photovoltaic system design. A similar, simple, and accessible tool for ambient design is crucial.

5.   Training on ambient energy is needed throughout secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education for workforce development. Currently, only about 10% of colleges teach courses on passive heating and cooling systems.

6.   Ambient-conditioned buildings should be demonstrated in all US climate zones. Performance should be monitored and reported, with quantitative case studies made widely available.

7.   While current technology is sufficient to build high-performance ambient buildings now, research is needed to develop new technologies to harness ambient energy more effectively and more economically.  Such advancements will facilitate adoption of ambient energy technologies in a wider range of buildings, including retrofits. Examples include windows with much lower thermal losses, use of the building shell as thermal storage, alternative light-weight thermal storage systems, sky radiation cooling systems, automated controls for solar gains and passive cooling, and ground coupling.

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Debbie,

Great idea. I copied below the Key Messages from our workshop white paper. By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? Good plan to involve Solar Building Division members. Feedback welcomed from this forum, as well.

Key Messages

1.   Ambient energy (from sun, air, ground, and sky) can heat and cool buildings; provide hot water, ventilation and daylighting; dry clothes; and cook food. These services account for about three-quarters of building energy consumption and a third of total US demand. Biophilic design (direct and indirect connections with nature) is an intrinsic adjunct to ambient energy systems, and improves wellness and human performance.

2.   The current strategy of electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not meet our climate goals, because the transition to an all-renewable electric grid is too slow. Widespread adoption of ambient energy is needed. Solar-heated buildings also flatten the seasonal demand for electricity compared to all-electric buildings, reducing required production capacity and long-term energy storage. In addition, ambient-conditioned buildings improve resilience by remaining livable during power outages. 

3.   National policies, incentives, and marketing should be enacted to promote ambient energy use. Federal administrative priorities should reflect the importance of ambient energy for buildings. Use of ambient energy should be encouraged through existing and new building codes and standards.

4.   Ambient energy system design tools are needed for architects, engineers, builders, building scientists, realtors, appraisers, and consumers. PVWatts is used over 100 million times per year for photovoltaic system design. A similar, simple, and accessible tool for ambient design is crucial.

5.   Training on ambient energy is needed throughout secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education for workforce development. Currently, only about 10% of colleges teach courses on passive heating and cooling systems.

6.   Ambient-conditioned buildings should be demonstrated in all US climate zones. Performance should be monitored and reported, with quantitative case studies made widely available.

7.   While current technology is sufficient to build high-performance ambient buildings now, research is needed to develop new technologies to harness ambient energy more effectively and more economically.  Such advancements will facilitate adoption of ambient energy technologies in a wider range of buildings, including retrofits. Examples include windows with much lower thermal losses, use of the building shell as thermal storage, alternative light-weight thermal storage systems, sky radiation cooling systems, automated controls for solar gains and passive cooling, and ground coupling.

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Hi Keith,

Glad you are excited about the idea of the Technical Divisions of ASES creating one-page infographics on the various subjects that relate to each division. You asked:

By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? 

Yes! I guess what used to be called brochures in the paper days. If members have one-page examples to share, that would be good. I seem to remember that someone in ASES created some recently - Ella?  I could see a template being provided for all to use. 

Before anything becomes officially promoted by each division, I think it would be fun (and educational) to have ASES members submit one-page infographics about subjects that they feel particularly knowledgeable about in the division in which they are a member, or have an interest in joining. That would be one way to get an informal peer review first. The information could be pulled from the educational portion of your website, a paper or poster, or a webinar.  Those going to the conference (in person or virtually) could post them on the conference platform. I can also see some good ones being developed out of the conference material. ASES's mission is education-based and much of that knowledge is held by members.

I'd like to suggest that when you are ready to share one, you start the Subject line of the posting with: Infographic, (tech division name), (short infographic name). For instance, Keith's could be: Infographic, Solar Buildings, Ambient Energy

Excited to see what develops! 

Debbie,

Great idea. I copied below the Key Messages from our workshop white paper. By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? Good plan to involve Solar Building Division members. Feedback welcomed from this forum, as well.

Key Messages

1.   Ambient energy (from sun, air, ground, and sky) can heat and cool buildings; provide hot water, ventilation and daylighting; dry clothes; and cook food. These services account for about three-quarters of building energy consumption and a third of total US demand. Biophilic design (direct and indirect connections with nature) is an intrinsic adjunct to ambient energy systems, and improves wellness and human performance.

2.   The current strategy of electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not meet our climate goals, because the transition to an all-renewable electric grid is too slow. Widespread adoption of ambient energy is needed. Solar-heated buildings also flatten the seasonal demand for electricity compared to all-electric buildings, reducing required production capacity and long-term energy storage. In addition, ambient-conditioned buildings improve resilience by remaining livable during power outages. 

3.   National policies, incentives, and marketing should be enacted to promote ambient energy use. Federal administrative priorities should reflect the importance of ambient energy for buildings. Use of ambient energy should be encouraged through existing and new building codes and standards.

4.   Ambient energy system design tools are needed for architects, engineers, builders, building scientists, realtors, appraisers, and consumers. PVWatts is used over 100 million times per year for photovoltaic system design. A similar, simple, and accessible tool for ambient design is crucial.

5.   Training on ambient energy is needed throughout secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education for workforce development. Currently, only about 10% of colleges teach courses on passive heating and cooling systems.

6.   Ambient-conditioned buildings should be demonstrated in all US climate zones. Performance should be monitored and reported, with quantitative case studies made widely available.

7.   While current technology is sufficient to build high-performance ambient buildings now, research is needed to develop new technologies to harness ambient energy more effectively and more economically.  Such advancements will facilitate adoption of ambient energy technologies in a wider range of buildings, including retrofits. Examples include windows with much lower thermal losses, use of the building shell as thermal storage, alternative light-weight thermal storage systems, sky radiation cooling systems, automated controls for solar gains and passive cooling, and ground coupling.

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

In the near future as humans of earth fully begin to realize the power of our sun to deliver all the energy they will ever need to each and every geographical location on the planet unanimous -   Human based policy will change as " Policy " is truly an human institution along with education and yet current ideas may not reflect the needs, and or wants of a future generation that should desire a more integrated rapport with our neighborhood star. 

Hi Keith,

Glad you are excited about the idea of the Technical Divisions of ASES creating one-page infographics on the various subjects that relate to each division. You asked:

By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? 

Yes! I guess what used to be called brochures in the paper days. If members have one-page examples to share, that would be good. I seem to remember that someone in ASES created some recently - Ella?  I could see a template being provided for all to use. 

Before anything becomes officially promoted by each division, I think it would be fun (and educational) to have ASES members submit one-page infographics about subjects that they feel particularly knowledgeable about in the division in which they are a member, or have an interest in joining. That would be one way to get an informal peer review first. The information could be pulled from the educational portion of your website, a paper or poster, or a webinar.  Those going to the conference (in person or virtually) could post them on the conference platform. I can also see some good ones being developed out of the conference material. ASES's mission is education-based and much of that knowledge is held by members.

I'd like to suggest that when you are ready to share one, you start the Subject line of the posting with: Infographic, (tech division name), (short infographic name). For instance, Keith's could be: Infographic, Solar Buildings, Ambient Energy

Excited to see what develops! 

Debbie,

Great idea. I copied below the Key Messages from our workshop white paper. By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? Good plan to involve Solar Building Division members. Feedback welcomed from this forum, as well.

Key Messages

1.   Ambient energy (from sun, air, ground, and sky) can heat and cool buildings; provide hot water, ventilation and daylighting; dry clothes; and cook food. These services account for about three-quarters of building energy consumption and a third of total US demand. Biophilic design (direct and indirect connections with nature) is an intrinsic adjunct to ambient energy systems, and improves wellness and human performance.

2.   The current strategy of electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not meet our climate goals, because the transition to an all-renewable electric grid is too slow. Widespread adoption of ambient energy is needed. Solar-heated buildings also flatten the seasonal demand for electricity compared to all-electric buildings, reducing required production capacity and long-term energy storage. In addition, ambient-conditioned buildings improve resilience by remaining livable during power outages. 

3.   National policies, incentives, and marketing should be enacted to promote ambient energy use. Federal administrative priorities should reflect the importance of ambient energy for buildings. Use of ambient energy should be encouraged through existing and new building codes and standards.

4.   Ambient energy system design tools are needed for architects, engineers, builders, building scientists, realtors, appraisers, and consumers. PVWatts is used over 100 million times per year for photovoltaic system design. A similar, simple, and accessible tool for ambient design is crucial.

5.   Training on ambient energy is needed throughout secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education for workforce development. Currently, only about 10% of colleges teach courses on passive heating and cooling systems.

6.   Ambient-conditioned buildings should be demonstrated in all US climate zones. Performance should be monitored and reported, with quantitative case studies made widely available.

7.   While current technology is sufficient to build high-performance ambient buildings now, research is needed to develop new technologies to harness ambient energy more effectively and more economically.  Such advancements will facilitate adoption of ambient energy technologies in a wider range of buildings, including retrofits. Examples include windows with much lower thermal losses, use of the building shell as thermal storage, alternative light-weight thermal storage systems, sky radiation cooling systems, automated controls for solar gains and passive cooling, and ground coupling.

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Hi Keith,

Glad you are excited about the idea of the Technical Divisions of ASES creating one-page infographics on the various subjects that relate to each division. You asked:

By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? 

Yes! I guess what used to be called brochures in the paper days. If members have one-page examples to share, that would be good. I seem to remember that someone in ASES created some recently - Ella?  I could see a template being provided for all to use. 

Before anything becomes officially promoted by each division, I think it would be fun (and educational) to have ASES members submit one-page infographics about subjects that they feel particularly knowledgeable about in the division in which they are a member, or have an interest in joining. That would be one way to get an informal peer review first. The information could be pulled from the educational portion of your website, a paper or poster, or a webinar.  Those going to the conference (in person or virtually) could post them on the conference platform. I can also see some good ones being developed out of the conference material. ASES's mission is education-based and much of that knowledge is held by members.

I'd like to suggest that when you are ready to share one, you start the Subject line of the posting with: Infographic, (tech division name), (short infographic name). For instance, Keith's could be: Infographic, Solar Buildings, Ambient Energy

Excited to see what develops! 

Debbie,

Great idea. I copied below the Key Messages from our workshop white paper. By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? Good plan to involve Solar Building Division members. Feedback welcomed from this forum, as well.

Key Messages

1.   Ambient energy (from sun, air, ground, and sky) can heat and cool buildings; provide hot water, ventilation and daylighting; dry clothes; and cook food. These services account for about three-quarters of building energy consumption and a third of total US demand. Biophilic design (direct and indirect connections with nature) is an intrinsic adjunct to ambient energy systems, and improves wellness and human performance.

2.   The current strategy of electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not meet our climate goals, because the transition to an all-renewable electric grid is too slow. Widespread adoption of ambient energy is needed. Solar-heated buildings also flatten the seasonal demand for electricity compared to all-electric buildings, reducing required production capacity and long-term energy storage. In addition, ambient-conditioned buildings improve resilience by remaining livable during power outages. 

3.   National policies, incentives, and marketing should be enacted to promote ambient energy use. Federal administrative priorities should reflect the importance of ambient energy for buildings. Use of ambient energy should be encouraged through existing and new building codes and standards.

4.   Ambient energy system design tools are needed for architects, engineers, builders, building scientists, realtors, appraisers, and consumers. PVWatts is used over 100 million times per year for photovoltaic system design. A similar, simple, and accessible tool for ambient design is crucial.

5.   Training on ambient energy is needed throughout secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education for workforce development. Currently, only about 10% of colleges teach courses on passive heating and cooling systems.

6.   Ambient-conditioned buildings should be demonstrated in all US climate zones. Performance should be monitored and reported, with quantitative case studies made widely available.

7.   While current technology is sufficient to build high-performance ambient buildings now, research is needed to develop new technologies to harness ambient energy more effectively and more economically.  Such advancements will facilitate adoption of ambient energy technologies in a wider range of buildings, including retrofits. Examples include windows with much lower thermal losses, use of the building shell as thermal storage, alternative light-weight thermal storage systems, sky radiation cooling systems, automated controls for solar gains and passive cooling, and ground coupling.

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

@Ella Nielsen, I'd like to invite you to join this conversation about the infographic. 

Hi Keith,

Glad you are excited about the idea of the Technical Divisions of ASES creating one-page infographics on the various subjects that relate to each division. You asked:

By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? 

Yes! I guess what used to be called brochures in the paper days. If members have one-page examples to share, that would be good. I seem to remember that someone in ASES created some recently - Ella?  I could see a template being provided for all to use. 

Before anything becomes officially promoted by each division, I think it would be fun (and educational) to have ASES members submit one-page infographics about subjects that they feel particularly knowledgeable about in the division in which they are a member, or have an interest in joining. That would be one way to get an informal peer review first. The information could be pulled from the educational portion of your website, a paper or poster, or a webinar.  Those going to the conference (in person or virtually) could post them on the conference platform. I can also see some good ones being developed out of the conference material. ASES's mission is education-based and much of that knowledge is held by members.

I'd like to suggest that when you are ready to share one, you start the Subject line of the posting with: Infographic, (tech division name), (short infographic name). For instance, Keith's could be: Infographic, Solar Buildings, Ambient Energy

Excited to see what develops! 

Debbie,

Great idea. I copied below the Key Messages from our workshop white paper. By infographic, do you mean something with fewer words and more pictures? Good plan to involve Solar Building Division members. Feedback welcomed from this forum, as well.

Key Messages

1.   Ambient energy (from sun, air, ground, and sky) can heat and cool buildings; provide hot water, ventilation and daylighting; dry clothes; and cook food. These services account for about three-quarters of building energy consumption and a third of total US demand. Biophilic design (direct and indirect connections with nature) is an intrinsic adjunct to ambient energy systems, and improves wellness and human performance.

2.   The current strategy of electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not meet our climate goals, because the transition to an all-renewable electric grid is too slow. Widespread adoption of ambient energy is needed. Solar-heated buildings also flatten the seasonal demand for electricity compared to all-electric buildings, reducing required production capacity and long-term energy storage. In addition, ambient-conditioned buildings improve resilience by remaining livable during power outages. 

3.   National policies, incentives, and marketing should be enacted to promote ambient energy use. Federal administrative priorities should reflect the importance of ambient energy for buildings. Use of ambient energy should be encouraged through existing and new building codes and standards.

4.   Ambient energy system design tools are needed for architects, engineers, builders, building scientists, realtors, appraisers, and consumers. PVWatts is used over 100 million times per year for photovoltaic system design. A similar, simple, and accessible tool for ambient design is crucial.

5.   Training on ambient energy is needed throughout secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education for workforce development. Currently, only about 10% of colleges teach courses on passive heating and cooling systems.

6.   Ambient-conditioned buildings should be demonstrated in all US climate zones. Performance should be monitored and reported, with quantitative case studies made widely available.

7.   While current technology is sufficient to build high-performance ambient buildings now, research is needed to develop new technologies to harness ambient energy more effectively and more economically.  Such advancements will facilitate adoption of ambient energy technologies in a wider range of buildings, including retrofits. Examples include windows with much lower thermal losses, use of the building shell as thermal storage, alternative light-weight thermal storage systems, sky radiation cooling systems, automated controls for solar gains and passive cooling, and ground coupling.

Great points, Keith,  I think an attractive, simple-to-read infographic illustrating these points could be a beneficial document that ASES could distribute if you were interested in developing one for the Solar Buildings Division to review. Maybe each division could try to have a simple one-page document on main subjects within that division that could optionally then be included in Solar Today as well. https://ases.org/about/about-us/divisions/

For those of you at SOLAR  2024 in DC in May, let's discuss these issues at the Division Luncheon.  That luncheon is on Wednesday May 22 as well as the three Solar Building sessions so if you can only attend for one day, that might be a good one. https://ases.org/conference/schedule/ Plus the Climate Ride is late Wednesday afternoon. I will be doing the walking part and welcome others to join me either as part of my team or one of your own. https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=885

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

Kat,

Buildings account for nearly half of US energy use and a large fraction of greenhouse gas emissions. There are tremendous opportunities for reducing the impact of buildings by adopting policies that promote the use of ambient energy for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooling, hot water, daylighting, ventilation, cooking and clothes drying.

A few facts that could be expanded upon in articles for Solar Today:

1. Electrification and energy efficiency for buildings will not solve the problem, because it is projected that utility electricity will still be 44% from fossil fuel by 2050. Net zero buildings are not enough, because at night when PV is not producing, the building is using electricity made from fossil fuels. The building problem will get worse with the expected doubling of built floor area by 2060.
2. Estimates for an all-renewable grid range from 8 to 21 trillion dollars (and even higher). The fraction of that cost just to heat and cool buildings amounts to 14,000 to 50,000 dollars per building. In many cases, ambient energy can accomplish this task for a lot less.
3. Ambient-conditioned buildings are more resilient to power outages, which can be expected to become more frequent as storms become more severe. Where conventional buildings reach uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures quickly when the power goes out, ambient-conditioned buildings can stay comfortable for days and livable indefinitely.
4. The Department of Energy has no upper level offices devoted to buildings and, in fact, only 7% of its budget is spent on buildings. With the large contribution of buildings to our climate problems, they deserve greater attention.
5. Codes and standards for buildings largely ignore ambient energy. Even worse, IECC 2021, the latest code used in many localities, essentially outlaws passive solar heating in climate zones 0-5, because windows with solar heat gain constant SHGC greater than 0.4 are prohibited.
6. Courses on solar thermal applications are offered at fewer than about 10% of universities.
7. Awareness of the potential of ambient energy is low among builders, realtors, architects, engineers and consumers.
8. The National Renewable Energy Lab hosts PVWatts for designing photovoltaic systems, but similar, easy-to-use software for ambient-conditioned buildings is not available.

These problems are largely policy issues. Technology to construct buildings that can heat and cool themselves with ambient energy has been available for decades. New developments could make such performance easier to accomplish, but marketing and promotion through policy is arguably more important.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

It is clear that the architecture of cities have not been developed with integration of solar energy in mind. Thus, I think policies targeting both existing and new buildings must be concurrently addressed to reduce the environmental impact of energy systems.

Examining solar PV cost figures below reveals that residential PV is notably pricier than commercial or utility PV, with soft costs comprising a significant portion. Implementing shared street side PV systems among multiple apartments or connecting buildings with new short power distribution lines to share PV from parking lots for example, can lead to larger, economically favorable systems beneficial to all. Despite recognized advantages, community solar is still in its infancy, as depicted in the latest figure.

Policies promoting the development of community energy systems, encompassing solar PV, batteries, mini pumped hydro storage, flywheels, ground/water source heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and building insulation, among others, can ensure widespread access to cleaner energy at affordable rates for both residences and businesses.

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles? 

There are several states reconsidering net energy metering (NM) to reduce value of residential PV electricity exported to grid . There are some valid reasons based on grid dynamics (duck curve). The utilities also claim it results in cost shifting. They tend to neglect the benefits and only view the costs. It would be good to publish a story explaining the problem, what different states are proposing to address it, and whether these policies would be effective or just decrease the revenue loss from 1:1 offset on PV-customer electic bill.  If these bills go into effect,  residential PV installs might decrease by alot while PV+ battery installs would increase a little.

Steve 

We're getting ready to publish an issue of Solar Today this fall that will focus on renewable energy policies in the United States. 

What are some impactful and important policies that you think we should cover? Would any of you be interested in pitching articles?