One of our main priorities at Optimus Energy Solutions is the effective use of resources in the built environment. We are big believers in applying renewable energy production to already-developed spaces. Incorporating power production (like solar) into existing buildings prevents the need to use undeveloped land for energy generation while simultaneously adding value to asset owners and the power grid. Using and re-using previously built and developed spaces (and their rooftops) offers an incredible amount of potential, especially for a country as geographically vast as the United States. The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that “there are a little over 8 billion square meters of {solar} suitable roofs in the US” already.” By covering those in solar panels, “you would produce about 1,400 terawatt hours of electricity each year . . .. The total production is equal to nearly 40 percent of the total electricity currently sold by utilities in the US.” In addition to available space, roof-tops are almost always closer to existing grid assets and end-users of power. They are also already constructed and ready for the addition of solar energy with less land consumption and opportunity cost.

According to a recent Bloomberg article, the US currently uses over 80m acres of land to power our economy across all power sources. It is an interesting article with some really engaging visual graphics. The article correctly states that “wind farms, solar installations and other forms of clean power take up far more space on a per-watt basis than their fossil-fuel-burning brethren”. What the article does not consider is the fact that not all renewable energy requires the sacrifice of undeveloped land. There is a cost-effective, land-saving solution right over our heads.

Just like adding density to a commercial area increases value for pedestrians, businesses and the tax base without needing to add critical infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, etc.), adding solar energy production to existing buildings holds immense potential for power production and future resiliency. It also saves a lot of land.

Whether your interest is in preserving wild spaces, achieving an accelerated ROI on your commercial structure or just doing a cool project, incorporating solar into existing buildings can achieve returns and create positive impacts. 

***Graphic credit – Bloomberg.com