HOMEPLANSINDIA
  • HOME
  • SAMPLE DESIGN
    • Free One House Plan - 1 for Download
    • Free One House Plan - 2 for Download
    • E-Book 1 of House Plans by HomePlansIndia.com
    • E-Book of Apartment Floor Plans
  • SERVICES
    • Architectural Design Consultancy
    • Master Planning and Design
    • Landscape Architecture Design
    • Parks, Playgrounds and Children's Play Area
    • Interior Design
    • Structural Design and Detailing Consultancy
    • Building Services Consultancy
    • 2D Rendering & 3D Modelling in Sketchup for Floor Plans
    • Freehand Watercolor Rendering of Site Plan & Floor Plan | Architecture Sketch | Hand Rendering
    • Cost Estimation of House Plan
  • CUSTOM DESIGN
  • PRICING
  • ARTICLES
    • House Design in Oman
    • Luxury Weekend Home at Alibaug
    • Container Homes | Homes with Shipping Containers | Steel Houses | Modular Structures
    • What 2020 taught us about small home living
    • Narrow plot house design in India
    • Growing Climbers for Indian Terrace Gardens
    • Terrace Garden Landscaping
    • Tiny Home Design Ideas - An adventure for our future from 2020 onward
    • Online Architecture Practice During World Pandemic 2020
    • How to choose the best outdoor Solar light for walkways and landscaping
    • Boston Design Week 2020 - Presented by Architect Rinka D'Monte
    • Apartment Building Elevation Design
    • Hire an Online Architecture Firm from Mumbai
    • Importance of having nurturing Indoor Plants for your house
    • Top Ten Green Home Building Ideas
    • Sustainable Building Materials to consider for your House Construction
    • Sustainable House Design by HomePlansIndia
    • Importance of Passive House Design and Construction in India
    • Why Outdoor living spaces are as crucial as designing the interior spaces when planning for a new house
    • 5 Architectural Design elements which make a small house plan look and feel big
    • What is Rain Water Harvesting and how to do it for your house
    • How solar energy can reduce energy consumption for your weekend bungalow.
    • Design a House with Proper Light and Ventilation
    • Advantages of Green Roof for new Bungalow Designs in 2015
    • What to add in your bucket list when you are planning your house floor design-2015
    • Stages of House Construction in India
    • Calculate the Cost of Constructing a Bungalow in India
    • 10 Different flooring material suitable for Bungalows in India
    • The need for structurally sound housing in India
    • Importance of Contemporary Family House Plan
    • 5 Basic Design Flaws to watch out in a House - Home Plans India
    • 10 Reasonable Questions to ask Prospective Contractor for building your House
    • 10 Reasons why small house plans are best for 2014
    • 15 Steps to Draw a House Plan like an Architect
    • How to Draw a Simple House Plan
    • Why buying House Plans Online in 2015 makes sense for plot owners in India
    • 10 Important key features for planning and building an energy efficient house in India
    • Top Five Green Home Building Ideas
    • The Importance Of Home Security Systems For Your Family ​
    • How Solar Power Can Help Buildings Meet the NYC Emissions Law
    • Guest Post 1 - Custom Home Plans and Design
    • Guest Post 2 - How to Paint the Exterior of Your Home?
    • Guest Post 3 - How to Improve Your Home’s Value with Super Screen
    • Guest Post 4 - Home Construction and Home Design: Prefab Homes
    • Guest Post 5 - Advantages of Windows with Blinds
    • Guest Post 6 - Redecorating your kitchen on a budget
    • Guest Post 7 - Map mural designs for your room decoration
    • Guest Post 8 - Interior Decoration Trends to Look-Out for in 2019
    • Guest Post 9 - Smart Houses: What Are They? , and Should You Build One?
    • Guest Post 10 - Popular Styles of Vinyl Replacement Windows
    • Guest Post 11 - 10 Small Kitchen Designs in 2019: IDEAS AND ADVICE
    • Guest Post 12 - Provide an Elegant Addition to Your Home’s Exterior
    • Guest Post 13 - Common indoor plants for health benefits
    • Guest Post 14 - Opt for Bathroom Renovation after Paying Off Existing Debt
    • Guest Post 15 - Cutting Grass is Essential for Proper Growth & Health of your Lawn
    • Guest Post 16 - How to Design a Kitchen with Beauty and Class
    • Guest Post 17 - Save Money with Outdoor Solar Lights
    • Guest Post 18 - How to Break Free From the Debt Cycle
    • Guest Post 19 - Best Energy Efficient Space Electric Heaters
    • Guest Post 20 - Living Room Design: Do’s and Don’ts
    • Guest Post 21 - How to Design a Home with Beauty and Class
  • HOUSE PLANS
    • Small House Plans
    • Family Home Plans
    • Apartment Building Designs
    • House Floor Plans
    • Master Planning of Row House
    • Luxury Bungalow Plans
    • Sustainable Homes
  • PROJECTS
  • CONTACTS
    • ABOUT US
    • LEARN
    • FAQ
    • BLOG
    • DONATE
    • Guest Post Specifications
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sitemap
    • 404
    • 301
How Solar Power Can Help Buildings Meet the NYC Emissions La

How Solar Power Can Help Buildings Meet the NYC Emissions Law

Picture
How Solar Power Can Help Buildings Meet the NYC Emissions Law
The NYC Council pass the Climate Mobilization Act, as known as the NYC Green New Deal, in April 2019. The act included intro 1253, which aimed to add an emission limit to the greenhouse gases for buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. In May 2019, Intro 1253 became Local Law 97 (LL97) covering almost 60,000 buildings.
With respect to the emission levels in 2005, the emission reduction target for NYC buildings are 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Initially, the limits were set for two periods: 2024 to 2029 and 2030 to 2034.
​
What Building Owners Need to Know About Local Law 97
  • Starting 2025, all buildings applicable under LL97 must submit a yearly emissions report on May 1st.
  • The emissions report must be stamped by a Registered Architect (RA) or a Professional Engineer (PE).
  • A penalty of $268 will be applicable for ever tCO2e about the limit.
  • The penalty for a not submitting the report is $0.50/sq. ft. per month, and the penalty for a false report is $50,000 and up to 30 days of imprisonment.
  • The emission limits are in kilogram of CO2 equivalent, per sq. ft. and per year.
Can Building Owners Use Renewable Energy to Meet Local Law 97?
The short answer is Yes. Local Law 97 allows purchase of renewable energy credits & carbon offsets for meeting a part of the emissions target. Natural gas is one of the major electricity sources in NY representing about 40% of the total generation in the state according to the US Energy Information Administration. Since, solar power replaces electricity from power grid with clean energy, every kWh from the solar panels potentially replaces one kWh from a gas power station.
How Much Can the Emissions by Reduced with Solar Power?
Generally, a solar capacity of 15 watts can be fitted per sq. ft. of roof space. So essentially, a 20,000 sq. ft. can use a 300 kW solar array. Such a system is capable of generating over 420,000 kWh per year.
LL97 has an emissions factor of 0.000288962 tCO2eq / kWh. Considering the above example, the building emissions would be cut down by 121.36 metric tons per year. Since the penalty for exceeding the limit is $268 per ton, a building above the limit can avoid $32,526 in annual penalties.
​According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a 100 kW to 500kW solar system have an average price of $2.44/W in New York. This means a 300 kW system would cost around $732,000. This net price can be reduced to $541,680 with the help of 26% federal tax credit.
Considering an electricity price of 20 cents/kWh, a solar output of 420,000 kWh per year would save you $84,000. Going back a bit, we saw that the building is also saving $32,526 in LL97 penalties. This brings the total savings to $116,526 per year. Typically, a 300 kW solar power system has a payback period of 6.4 years based on the electricity savings alone. Combining this with avoided penalties, the payback period would be cut down to only 4.6 years. Keep in mind that solar panels have a life span of over 25 years.

How to Finance the Solar Installation and Pay the Loan with Savings?
Some companies can pay for a solar power system upfront, but this can impact the cash flow and lead to missed opportunities. Financing a solar power project with loan is a very attractive option since the savings can be used to pay off the loan. This is extremely helpful for commercial buildings. The building owners can be two types of savings: electricity savings and avoided penalties.
We saw that a 300 kW solar system would cost about $541,680 after considering the 26% federal tax credit. With 3% interest for a 10-year term, a $541,680 loan would result in $5,230.50 per month, or $62,766 per year. Since we already achieved a total savings of $116,526 per year, there is still much left as savings on the first year itself.

BONUS: How Much Space do Solar Panels Need?
Solar panels are manufactured in many sizes, but most of the installations use 60-cell or 72-cell modules. 60-cell panels are typically described as residential, and 72-cell panels are described as commercial. However, this isn’t a rule as 60-cell panels works just as intended in a commercial building, and 72-cell panels for residential.

The table below shows the typical area covered by each type of solar panel –
Solar Panel Type
Dimensions
Area

60-cell
5.42 ft x 3.25 ft
17.6 sq. ft.

72-cell
6.42 ft x 3.25ft
20.85 sq. ft.

 
A 72-cell panel has a capacity of 20% higher than a 60-cell panels due to the additional cells. Due to this the number of panels can be reduced using 72-cell panels, which saves on racking, installation costs and efficient space usage.

​Recommendations
Building emissions are calculated by referring to the energy consumption profile. This means, building owners must improve their energy efficiency to meet LL97. There are many measures that can save energy, but to find the optimal one that best suits the building requirement and system condition is a challenge.
The best recommendation is to start with an energy audit which will reveal the optimal energy efficiency measures after carefully and thoroughly inspecting the current building systems.
​
Author’s Bio
Michael Tobias, PE, is the principal and founder of New York Engineers. He leads a team of over 50 MEP/FP engineers. Although New York Engineers main headquarters are in NYC and Chicago the business has led over 1,000 engineering projects in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, and California, as well as Malaysia and Singapore. Michael is an advocate for green technology and energy efficiency, and approaches engineering as a vehicle to raise the quality of life

Our Organizations
www.houseplansindia.in/ | www.atelierarbo.com | understandconstrcution.com

Copyrighted Content, Images and Hardwork of HomePlansIndia.com @ 2011 - 2022, Atelier ARBO (OPC) Private Limited (Previously RSDM Architects), Mumbai, India
  • HOME
  • SAMPLE DESIGN
    • Free One House Plan - 1 for Download
    • Free One House Plan - 2 for Download
    • E-Book 1 of House Plans by HomePlansIndia.com
    • E-Book of Apartment Floor Plans
  • SERVICES
    • Architectural Design Consultancy
    • Master Planning and Design
    • Landscape Architecture Design
    • Parks, Playgrounds and Children's Play Area
    • Interior Design
    • Structural Design and Detailing Consultancy
    • Building Services Consultancy
    • 2D Rendering & 3D Modelling in Sketchup for Floor Plans
    • Freehand Watercolor Rendering of Site Plan & Floor Plan | Architecture Sketch | Hand Rendering
    • Cost Estimation of House Plan
  • CUSTOM DESIGN
  • PRICING
  • ARTICLES
    • House Design in Oman
    • Luxury Weekend Home at Alibaug
    • Container Homes | Homes with Shipping Containers | Steel Houses | Modular Structures
    • What 2020 taught us about small home living
    • Narrow plot house design in India
    • Growing Climbers for Indian Terrace Gardens
    • Terrace Garden Landscaping
    • Tiny Home Design Ideas - An adventure for our future from 2020 onward
    • Online Architecture Practice During World Pandemic 2020
    • How to choose the best outdoor Solar light for walkways and landscaping
    • Boston Design Week 2020 - Presented by Architect Rinka D'Monte
    • Apartment Building Elevation Design
    • Hire an Online Architecture Firm from Mumbai
    • Importance of having nurturing Indoor Plants for your house
    • Top Ten Green Home Building Ideas
    • Sustainable Building Materials to consider for your House Construction
    • Sustainable House Design by HomePlansIndia
    • Importance of Passive House Design and Construction in India
    • Why Outdoor living spaces are as crucial as designing the interior spaces when planning for a new house
    • 5 Architectural Design elements which make a small house plan look and feel big
    • What is Rain Water Harvesting and how to do it for your house
    • How solar energy can reduce energy consumption for your weekend bungalow.
    • Design a House with Proper Light and Ventilation
    • Advantages of Green Roof for new Bungalow Designs in 2015
    • What to add in your bucket list when you are planning your house floor design-2015
    • Stages of House Construction in India
    • Calculate the Cost of Constructing a Bungalow in India
    • 10 Different flooring material suitable for Bungalows in India
    • The need for structurally sound housing in India
    • Importance of Contemporary Family House Plan
    • 5 Basic Design Flaws to watch out in a House - Home Plans India
    • 10 Reasonable Questions to ask Prospective Contractor for building your House
    • 10 Reasons why small house plans are best for 2014
    • 15 Steps to Draw a House Plan like an Architect
    • How to Draw a Simple House Plan
    • Why buying House Plans Online in 2015 makes sense for plot owners in India
    • 10 Important key features for planning and building an energy efficient house in India
    • Top Five Green Home Building Ideas
    • The Importance Of Home Security Systems For Your Family ​
    • How Solar Power Can Help Buildings Meet the NYC Emissions Law
    • Guest Post 1 - Custom Home Plans and Design
    • Guest Post 2 - How to Paint the Exterior of Your Home?
    • Guest Post 3 - How to Improve Your Home’s Value with Super Screen
    • Guest Post 4 - Home Construction and Home Design: Prefab Homes
    • Guest Post 5 - Advantages of Windows with Blinds
    • Guest Post 6 - Redecorating your kitchen on a budget
    • Guest Post 7 - Map mural designs for your room decoration
    • Guest Post 8 - Interior Decoration Trends to Look-Out for in 2019
    • Guest Post 9 - Smart Houses: What Are They? , and Should You Build One?
    • Guest Post 10 - Popular Styles of Vinyl Replacement Windows
    • Guest Post 11 - 10 Small Kitchen Designs in 2019: IDEAS AND ADVICE
    • Guest Post 12 - Provide an Elegant Addition to Your Home’s Exterior
    • Guest Post 13 - Common indoor plants for health benefits
    • Guest Post 14 - Opt for Bathroom Renovation after Paying Off Existing Debt
    • Guest Post 15 - Cutting Grass is Essential for Proper Growth & Health of your Lawn
    • Guest Post 16 - How to Design a Kitchen with Beauty and Class
    • Guest Post 17 - Save Money with Outdoor Solar Lights
    • Guest Post 18 - How to Break Free From the Debt Cycle
    • Guest Post 19 - Best Energy Efficient Space Electric Heaters
    • Guest Post 20 - Living Room Design: Do’s and Don’ts
    • Guest Post 21 - How to Design a Home with Beauty and Class
  • HOUSE PLANS
    • Small House Plans
    • Family Home Plans
    • Apartment Building Designs
    • House Floor Plans
    • Master Planning of Row House
    • Luxury Bungalow Plans
    • Sustainable Homes
  • PROJECTS
  • CONTACTS
    • ABOUT US
    • LEARN
    • FAQ
    • BLOG
    • DONATE
    • Guest Post Specifications
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sitemap
    • 404
    • 301