April 2011

project of the month
Energy Solutions, Inc. Solar Array 

Myriad of panels from the array

Worker installing panel

Energy Solutions by JMS, LLC has designed and installed a 100 kilowatt solar array on the south side of Johnson-Melloh Mechanical Contractor's facility in Indianapolis.  The total cost for the project was roughly $475,000.

The array will produce an estimated 132,000 kilowatt hours each year. This is enough to power the Johnson-Melloh facility (which uses approximately 96,000 kW). Energy Solutions has entered into an agreement with Indianapolis Power & Light to sell the excess energy back at a rate of $0.35 per kW hour. The actual amount of energy available for sale back to IPL will vary depending upon weather, time of year and actual electricity needs of the facility.

The anticipated energy produced by the array also gives Energy Solutions the right to claim the renewable attributes of the solar energy through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Energy Solutions will be able to sell the RECs to utility companies in Ohio for an anticipated auction price between $250 and $350 per REC.

As the owner of the panel, energy Solutions will receive a renewable energy grant from the US Treasury Dept. equal to 30% of the cost of the panels. Energy Solutions will also be able to utilize current accelerated depreciation rules to expense the full cost of the array this year.

This is the largest built solar array in Indiana at this time, and a great tool to demonstrate the technology and applicability of solar arrays to interested parties and the public.


news
April Sustainable Stan Award Winner

This month's Sustainable Stan Award was Steve Sturm.  Steve has assisted in the removal of recyclables from the Schmidt Associates Office for the past several months.   Schmidt Associates, has encouraged recycling of all applicable waste materials for the past several years now. We are very fortunate to have people like Steve who care enough about these sustainable efforts to help deal with their practical sides. Curbside recycling is not offered at the Schmidt Associates offices. A large recycling bin is located across the street from the office (thanks to coercion from Schmidt employees) that will many of the recyclables but unfortunately not all of them. Steve has been very helpful by loaning his truck and his manpower to transport recyclables (like cardboard) to the local recycling plant. 


Make sure to let Steve know that his efforts are appreciated .


Below is a chart that shows the 68.8%   waste diverted for the Schmidt office (click on it to see it better):

Schmidt Associates to join Waste Loss Challenge
Schmidt Associates has been accepted to be 1 of the 220 entrants in the Energy Star National Building Competition. The competition will examine how much energy each company saves.  Make sure to stay tuned next month for details on how the office will look to save energy and how you can help.


Schmidt Associates pursuing USGBC education provider status
Over the past few years the USGBC and GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) have ramped up their efforts on continuing education for LEED APs.  To help meet the continuing education requirements, Schmidt Academy will be offering USGBC approved classes. If you are interested in learning more about these classes, you can review each class's goals in the Schmidt Academy catalog.


There will be a meeting this month with our current LEED APs and LEED GAs to review the requirements of the credentialing maintenance from the GBCI. The intent is for all of Schmidt's LEED APs to enroll to be LEED AP+. Information on what this will mean will be shared at the meeting. If you would like a preview of some of the information follow this link: LEED AP+

events

• Plant swap - this month - more information coming soon
• Carpool to work Day - coming soon
• Bike to Work Day - Friday, May 20

opinion

Schmidt Associates has been making great strides at reducing the amount of energy the buildings they design consume.  I think this will continue to improve. Some of the processes that are being put in place to analyze building performance early in the process will help the design teams make decisions that will have a greater impact on the energy usage. The High-Performance design review is also used early in the design process to challenge the design team to think more holistically about their project and the impact it will have.  

It is exciting that the office will be joining the National building Competition to better illustrate how little things in the office can make a difference.  As part of the competition, information will be shared with everyone on how much energy is used per week and how doing things like turning off our computers at night will reduce our energy use.  Often the best way for people to understand the difference that can be made is to have them be part of the change. You can quote me on that.

Sincerely,