Leveraging Renewables to Reduce Carbon | Better Buildings & Better Plants Initiative

On-Site Solar Decision Guide
Guide
Use the Solar Decision Guide for commercial real estate, hospitality, and healthcare buildings to assess or implement a successful on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) project. These guides can help companies determine if investing in solar makes financial sense and identify the regions that offer the most promising returns on solar investment.

7 Steps to Selecting a Commercial Solar PV Provider
Fact Sheet
This resource highlights best practices for selecting a commercial solar provider. Business owners interested in going solar can take the following steps to install an on-site solar PV system.

PVWatts
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Tool
This calculator estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected PV energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small buildings owners, installers, and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations.

Onsite Solar and Building Valuation
Webpage
Discover solutions from building owners and managers on how they made the business case for PV and found increased asset value during appraisal or at time of sale.

Installing Carport Solar Array
Case Study
This case study describes the installation of a carport solar array at the Hampton Inn & Suites Bakersfield North- Airport. The hotel operates in a hot climate and has high HVAC operating costs. The solar array helped mitigate the HVAC costs, producing monthly savings of $8,800 and reducing the site's greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable Energy Strategies for Real Estate
ULI Greenprint
Guidance Document
This report aims to help real estate practitioners understand the business case for renewables, the strategy for how decide on and execute both on- (owned and leased) and off-site renewable energy deals, and includes multiple global project profiles.

Implementing Solar – Leased Retail Buildings
Case Study
BJs Wholesale club installed solar arrays in 20 locations in Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey. This case study describes how businesses with leased buildings can lower operating costs with off-site solar.

Guide to Purchasing Green Power
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Guide
The Guide to Purchasing Green Power is a starting point for organizations interested in buying green power. The guide provides information about the green power procurement process, different green power supply options, benefits of green power purchasing, and more.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement?
Fact Sheet
This fact sheet summarizes the basics of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), a common financing mechanism for renewable energy projects. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using them and includes case studies, information about financing providers, and more to help you determine if a PPA is a good fit for your organization.

National Community Solar Partnership
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Webpage
The National Community Solar Partnership is a coalition of community solar stakeholders working to expand access to affordable community solar to every American household by 2025. Access resources about community solar and learn about opportunities to access technical assistance and more.

Renewable Energy Strategies for Real Estate
ULI Greenprint
Guidance Document
This report aims to help real estate practitioners understand the business case for renewables, the strategy for how decide on and execute both on- (owned and leased) and off-site renewable energy deals, and includes multiple global project profiles.

Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings
U.S. DOE
Factsheet
Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB) aim to reduce emissions by interacting with the electric grid. Strategies like load shifting, energy storage, and demand flexibility can reduce carbon and overall demand on the electric grid during peak times.

GEB Working Group Resources
U.S. DOE
Webpage
This page compiles technical resources, frameworks, and other useful information about grid-interactive efficient buildings created by DOE-led working groups.