According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), commercial buildings, including offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, and stores, consume nearly 20 percent of all energy used in the U.S. That translates into more than $200 billion spent each year to power millions of square feet of space that is often designed or operated inefficiently, according to DOE research, which results in 20 percent or more of that energy and money being wasted.
Given these statistics, it is no wonder building owners and operators are frequently investing in energy-saving solutions, such as improved lighting, occupancy sensors, and better building controls. But a growing number are going a step further and looking to design buildings that produce as much energy as they consume each year. These so-called zero-net-energy (ZNE) buildings may sound like a pipe dream, but they’ve already become a reality in many parts of the U.S. and around the world.