The Pfister Energy tagline is “Are you leading the way.” For us, this isn’t just a sales gimmick, it’s how we truly view renewable energy. While installing solar arrays across the US is a portion of our business, we look at every potential project as an opportunity to save and save big. “Leading the way” is about thinking differently and being a leader to your community, shareholders, employees and yourself. Walmart, a recognized big box store with a mixed consumer reputation, is also a forward-thinking environmental leader – leading the way. Many of their existing stores utilize daylighting to reduce power consumption. And, now Walmart is installing a green roof, as a part of the building design and new construction of their Portland, Oregon store.
According to an article in the online publication EarthTechling, the new, 90,000-square-foot location will feature a green roof of 40,600 square feet. This is going to be the retail giant’s second green roof in the country and will represent the largest private green roof in the city of Portland. The city is known for its renewable energy solutions too, so Walmart’s leadership in this initiative is a big deal!
Stacking Technologies
At Pfister Energy, we often talk about stacking technologies which, quite simply, means that the building utilizes multiple renewable and energy efficient solutions to maximize their production and savings. Walmart’s Portland store is doing just that:
“Other green features planned for this new store include lighting systems with daylight monitoring and skylights: eco-friendly flooring made with recycled fly ash, an HVAC system that recycles heat produced by the building’s freezer units, LED lighting in parking areas, recycled construction materials [such as steel and plastics] and a white membrane covering the remaining, un-vegetated portion of its roof,” the article says.
Green Roof Systems
Green roofing systems are relatively easy to install. They are a great way to improve the aesthetic nature of a building, add green space, prolong the life of a roof, reduce the heat fluctuation within a building, manage storm water effectively, and include these financial benefits:
- The Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act and the Energy Policy Act have allowed green roof builders to receive cash back on their investments.
- The Energy Policy Act gives federal tax credits of up to $1.80 per square feet of green building construction, as long as it meets ASHRAE standards.
- Local building codes encouraging green roofing. As an example, in Portland, green roofs are encouraged by the building code by offering a floor area ratio (FAR) bonus. This allows developers to build an extra three square feet without additional permits per green foot (i.e., a building with a 1,000 ft. green roof will be able to add an extra 3,000 sq. ft.).
- Stormwater management plans may offer reimbursement based on green roof square footage.
And because one of the primary advantages of green roofs is stormwater management, building owners may be eligible to receive a financial incentive if they are able to accomplish this. A grant reimbursement of up to $5 per square feet is offered for green roofs reducing stormwater.
Are you leading the way?
We expect that Walmart’s continuous and innovative direction will set an example for their local community, but also inspire other corporations to think about the benefits of being green. If you are a business owner (big or small), the best time to consider and evaluate renewable energy and sustainability options is before new construction, expansion, remodeling, or repairs. Maybe your best ROI is green roofing. Or, it’s solar thermal on a south-facing wall. Or, a new lighting system that uses less energy and needs bulbs changed every three years instead of two. In fact, it could be a combination of all these ideas! For Walmart, these smart, eco ideas are an approach that impresses the local community, saves money on a predicted lifetime of utility bills, and is an opportunity to provide a discerable benefit to their employees and shoppers.
Are you thinking like Walmart? Are you leading the way?
