Southern California Office Real Estate Blog

University of Illinois Scientists Present Little Known Ways to Create More Economical Photovoltaic Panels

Guest post by Shannon Combs

Even if silicon is actually the market normal semiconductor in many electric products, which includes the solar cells that photo voltaic panels utilize to transform sunlight into electricity, it is not really the most efficient product on the market. For example, the semiconductor gallium arsenide and similar substance semiconductors provide nearly 2 times the performance as silicon in solar products, however they are rarely utilized in utility-scale applications because of their high production value.

University. of Illinois professors J. Rogers and X. Li explored lower-cost ways to create thin films of gallium arsenide which also made possible usefulness in the kinds of units they might be included into.

If you may reduce substantially the price of gallium arsenide and other compound semiconductors, then you could develop their range of applications.

Usually, gallium arsenide is deposited in a individual thin layer on a smaller wafer. Either the ideal unit is created right on the wafer, or the semiconductor-coated wafer is cut up into chips of the desired dimension. The Illinois team made the decision to deposit several levels of the material on a simple wafer, creating a layered, “pancake” stack of gallium arsenide thin films.

If you grow ten layers in a single growth, you simply have to fill the wafer 1 time. If you do this in 10 growths, loading and unloading with temp ramp-up and ramp-down get a lot of time. If you consider what is needed for each growth – the equipment, the research, the time, the workers – the overhead saving this approach gives is a significant expense reduction.

Following the scientists independently peel off the layers and move them. To accomplish this, the stacks swap levels of aluminum arsenide with the gallium arsenide. Bathing the stacks in a formula of acid and an oxidizing agent dissolves the levels of aluminum arsenide, freeing the single thin sheets of gallium arsenide. A soft stamp-like system picks up the layers, one at a time from the top down, for exchange to one more substrate – glass, plastic-type or silicon, depending on the application. After that the wafer could be used again for an additional growth.

By performing this it’s possible to produce much more material much more fast and much more price efficiently. This process could produce mass amounts of material, as compared to just the thin single-layer manner in which it is typically grown.

Freeing the material from the wafer additionally starts the possibility of flexible, thin-film electronics made with gallium arsenide or other high-speed semiconductors. To make products which could conform but still maintain higher efficiency, which is considerable.

In a document written and published online May 20 in the journal Nature, the group describes its procedures and demonstrates three types of devices utilizing gallium arsenide chips manufactured in multilayer stacks: light products, high-speed transistors and photo voltaic cells. The creators additionally offer a detailed cost comparability.

An additional benefit of the multilayer approach is the release from area constraints, especially essential for photo voltaic cells. As the levels are taken out from the stack, they could be laid out side-by-side on one more substrate in order to generate a much larger surface area, whereas the standard single-layer method restricts area to the size of the wafer.

For photovoltaics, you want big area coverage to get as much sunlight as possible. In an extreme situation we could develop adequate levels to have ten times the area of the conventional.

Up coming, the team programs to investigate more possible device applications and other semiconductor resources that might adapt to multilayer growth.

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About the Article author - Shannon Combs is currently writing for the http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org, her personal hobby website based on points to assist home owners to conserve energy with sun power.

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http://www.chemicool.com/elements/images/gallium-arsenide-solar-cells.jpg

http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org

http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org/thin_film_solar.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gallium-arsenide-unit-cell-3D-balls.png

http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org/solar_arsenium.jpg

http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org/about

http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org/files/photos/shannon.jpg

http://www.residentialsolarpanels.org/solar_arsenium.jpg

http://illinois.edu

http://www.nature.com

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POLL – SOLAR RULES

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POLL – SOLAR RULES

Edited by Jodi Summers

An overwhelming majority -92% of Americans polled - Support Solar Energy Development, according to the 2009 Schott Solar Barometer. The Schott Solar Barometer is a national survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research.

The overwhelming support for solar power is consistent across political party affiliation with 89 percent of Republicans, 94 percent of Democrats and 93 percent of Independents agreeing that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.

Furthermore, close to eight in 10 (77%) Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government, including the financial support needed. This sentiment also remains the same since June 2008 (77%).

If only given the opportunity to support one source of alternative energy, 43 percent of Americans would opt for solar over other sources such as wind (17%), natural gas (12%) and nuclear (10%).

Almost half of all Americans (49%) say they’re currently pondering solar power options for their home or business – and another three percent already have solar power. Among those who would like to take advantage of solar power at home or at work, seven in 10 (70%) envision they would make the change within the next five years.

The general consensus is that many Americans feel they lack information – fewer than one in five (12%) - can claim that they’re extremely informed about the subject of solar power in general. What’s more, almost three in four (74%) Americans admit they wish they knew more about solar power options for their home or business.

http://www.cleanedge.com/news/story.php?nID=6455

http://www.resourceactionprograms.org/blog/index.php/tag/southern-california/

http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/solar-power-%E2%80%93-sustainable-green-energy-to-protect-our-economy-and-environment/

http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/articles-renewable-energy-transmission/solar.shtml

http://www.sunandclimate.com/images/solar-power-dallas.jpg

http://www.generatormart.com/200806092224444674.shtml

http://earth911.com/blog/2007/10/15/pros-and-cons-of-solar-power/

SEE…DOE…HUD…DOT…EPA…NGA… IS BIG BROTHER WATCHING? SOCIALIZING URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

By Jodi Summers

Loyal readers of this blog are well aware that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) are working together in hopes of helping American families gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs by creating affordable, sustainable communities.

Taking further steps in that direction, more government agencies are getting involved to attempt to make our new millennium existence easier all around. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have formed the State Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network to help states achieve the maximum cost-effective energy efficiency improvements possible in offices, buildings, industries and homes by 2020.

SEE…DOE…HUD…DOT…EPA…that’s a lot of government agencies making sure cities develop in the “proper” manner…socialized urban growth.

But, oops we wander, back to SEE…under the oversight of the EPA and the DOE, SEE will work with representatives from state and municipal governments, business leaders, public utility commissioners and others to make life in this country of energy efficiency for all.

The group plans to work from the framework set by the National Action Plan for Energy

Efficiency Vision for 2025, which was laid out in 2006…only the new goal is to make it a 2020 initiative…following the model set forth by California. You know AB 32 - California’s landmark 2006 global warming initiative.

(Not only has AB 32 been adopted by the Obama Administration, the International Code Council announced the state’s newly adopted Green Building Standards Code will serve as a foundation for commercial buildings worldwide AND California participated in the launch of China’s first GHG emissions registry. When his term comes to an end in November, Arnold Schwarzenegger should follow in the steps of former Vice President Al Gore in becoming a champion for energy programs that influence national and international policies…perhaps even work warmly with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Los Angeles’ 30/10 initiative…ah but we dream….)

SEE will offer technical assistance, and help with specific policy and program issues to advance energy efficiency efforts. Efforts may include financing solutions, residential efficiency programs and improving availability of energy usage information, etc…

Already the DOE and EPA have a request list that includes 32 state public utility commissions wanting assistance with energy efficiency programs.

SEE…DOE…HUD…DOT…EPA…and don’t forget the NGA…the National Governors Association is another national agency championing states with energy efficiency efforts.

Earlier this year, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices selected six states - Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin - to participate in the organization’s Policy Academy on State Building Efficiency Retrofit Programs.

The academy, funded by the DOE (you remember them, working with DOT among other liaisons…), is designed to help states develop strategies and action plans to improve the energy efficiency of existing building and reduce costs and emissions.

SEE…DOE…HUD…DOT…EPA…NGA… is Big Brother is watching?

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http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2257243/agencies-action-buildings

http://www.socalgreenrealestateblog.com/?p=691

http://www.socalindustrialrealestateblog.com/?p=434

http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/department-of-transportation.jpg

http://www.socalgreenrealestateblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/hud-300×300.gif

http://watersecretsblog.com/archives/epa_seal.gif

http://management.energy.gov/images/New_DOE_Seal_Color_042808.png

CALIFORNIA HAS THE GREENEST OFFICE BUILDING IN THE WORLD

Edited by Jodi Summers

An engineering school has published a list of what they consider to be the 50 greenest buildings in the world – and the Alamaden Tower in San Jose wins! A SoCal property came in fourth - the Robert Redford Building, home of the Natural Resources Defense Council 1314 2nd Street in Santa Monica comes in fourth. The school – Top Online Engineering Degree, does not that “Greenest is, of course, always a highly subjective and nebulous term.”

As there is no international green building code, http://toponlineengineeringdegree.com, they ask that you not consider this a definitive compilation of the latest and greatest in environmentally-friendly architecture, but rather a brief overview of some highlights instead.

1. Alamaden Tower

Location: San Jose, California, USA

Achieved platinum rating on Dec. 1, 2006

Adobe Systems is the first organization to have three platinum-rated buildings–including the Almaden Tower, pictured here–and it’s the only major corporation to have any buildings on the list. Since it started converting the buildings in 2001, Adobe has seen a 115% savings on its water and utility bills.

2. India Tower

Location: Mumbai, India

Once the construction team puts the final touches on India Tower and officially opens its doors in 2010, it will be considered amongst the tallest, greenest building in the country.

3. William J. Clinton Presidential Library

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Although initially built up to LEED’s silver level certification standards, the combined forces and finances of Powers of Arkansas, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and The Leonardo Academy renovated it up to platinum.

4. Robert Redford Building

Location: Santa Monica, California

Home of the Natural Resources Defense Council

CNN states that at the Robert Redford Building toilets flush themselves with rainwater — except for the urinals, which use no water at all — the floors are made of bamboo and the carpets from hemp.

5. RIT’s University Services Center

Location: Rochester, New York, USA

Sustainability highlights from the University Services Center’s operation include:

•48.6 percent energy cost reduction over industry standards for heating and cooling efficiency

•43 percent reduction in water usage over national requirements for fixture performance

•35 percent of the building’s electricity is supplied from renewable sources, including on-site solar photovoltaic panels

•33 percent recycled content of materials used in facility’s operation

6. Philip Merrill Environmental Center

Location: Annapolis, Maryland, USA

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation makes its headquarters here and includes some interesting green features such as composting toilets, bioretention, and natural lighting – among others…

7. United States Green Building Council

Location: Washington, D.C., USA

Surely, you’d expect those who administer the certifications themselves strive for the highest possible level of achievement as a way of setting an example.

8. Tahoe Center

Location: Incline Village, Nevada, USA

Tahoe Center serves as one of only five platinum-certified science laboratories in the world, playing host to the University of California Davis Environmental Research department.

9. Cundall Sydney Office Fitout

Location: St. Leonard’s, New South Wales, Australia

Engineering firm Cundall obtained the first LEED-certified platinum honor for their office fitout as the first in the Southern hemisphere.

10. East and West Towers

Location: San Jose, California, USA

Another Adobe Systems venture, Forbes states that this building sports state of the art irrigation in perfect tune with nearby weather stations.

And there are 40 more to learn about…Get the whole list @ http://toponlineengineeringdegree.com/?page_id=122

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http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science/11/17/redford.building.reut/

http://toponlineengineeringdegree.com/?page_id=122

http://www.shoreassociates.com/images/projects/adobealmaden.JPG

http://s3.amazonaws.com/konnectme-production/photos/37/medium/projectscale-3.jpg

http://www.rit.edu/showcase/index.php?id=31/

http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/08/leadership-energy-environment-lead-citizen-cx_hc_0208green_slide_3.html?thisSpeed=undefined

THE GOVERNMENT HAS $72 BILLION FOR GREEN REAL ESTATE

By Jodi Summers

Experts have calculated that the Obama administration has put together more than 30 programs worth $72 billion that can be used to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings and multifamily housing.

“The Obama Administration has tremendous, untapped opportunities to use legal tools already at its disposal to enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of the nation’s multifamily and commercial buildings — all without seeking new funds or authority from Congress,” observes a report prepared by Van Ness Feldman. “All told, the programs identified in this report have the potential to directly provide or facilitate over $72 billion in funding or loan guarantees, and can leverage hundreds of billions of dollars in private investment through instruments such as mortgage insurance and regulation of the real estate lending market.”

Titled “Using Executive Authority to Achieve Greener Buildings: A Guide for Policymakers to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency in Multifamily Housing and Commercial Buildings,” the legal analysis, suggests several ways the Obama administration can use existing programs to enhance building efficiency:

* Reforming appraisal and underwriting practices at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Greening federal banking regulations

* Promoting flexible FHA insurance products

* Integrating energy efficiency and sustainability criteria into competitive grants and funding formulas

* Strengthening minimum property standards for federal housing and economic development programs to reflect energy efficiency and sustainability standards

* Improving performance standards applicable to federal buildings and leases

* Refining guidance applicable to the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction and the national historic preservation tax credit

* Using SBA funding mechanisms to support small business energy efficiency investments

* Streamlining Title 17 loan guarantees to make them suitable for buildings

“As an early adopter of green buildings and the LEED green building certification system, the federal government has been a leader in bringing green buildings to cities and towns across America,” said Roger Platt, the USGBC’s senior vice president of Global Policy & Law declared. “This new report unveils an even larger opportunity for the Obama Administration to increase our nation’s energy efficiency, while creating thousands of jobs and saving taxpayers money.”

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http://www.usgbc.org/government

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/04/30/obama-already-has-72b-tap-green-buildings-study-says

http://www.boulderindependentbusiness.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/namaste_obama_0093.jpg

http://www.rechargenews.com/multimedia/archive/00032/obama_solar_3_32125a.jpg

Energy to Sell - States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

States with Renewable Portfolio Standards

Edited by Jodi Summers

A nifty map and chart from the U.S. Department of Energy shows states with renewable portfolio standards - a state policy that requires electricity providers to obtain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable energy resources by a certain date.

You can find the map @ this link - http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/maps/renewable_portfolio_states.cfm?prin

You’ll notice that California is stellar with the objective of 33% renewable energy by 2030, but not nearly as aggressive as Maine, which is shooting for 40% renewable by 2017.

Currently there are 24 states plus the District of Columbia that have RPS policies in place. Together these states account for more than half of the electricity sales in the United States. Five other states, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont, have nonbinding goals for adoption of renewable energy instead of an RPS.

The chart below gives a rough summary of state renewable portfolio standards and links to organizations that are administering these standards or explain the details involved. Percentages refer to a portion of electricity sales and megawatts (MW) to absolute capacity requirements. Most of these standards phase in over years, and the date refers to when the full requirement takes effect.

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http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/maps/renewable_portfolio_states.cfm?prin

TWO SOCAL BUILDINGS ARE EPA EFFICIENCY CONTEST FINALISTS

By Jodi Summers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has picked 14 commercial buildings for their first national energy efficiency contest – and two of the finalists are in Southern California. Kudos to the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown - San Diego, CA and JCPenney Store # 1778 - Orange, CA will be competing with 12 other commercial structures around the country to best streamline their energy usage and be heralded the winner.

Two hundred buildings entered the competition, which will run through October 26, 2010. Fourteen finalists were chosen for undisclosed reasons. (Meet the contenders @ http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=buildingcontest..contestants)

Each entrant was tagged with an energy use intensity (EUI) number portraying the building’s energy use. A building’s EUI is calculated by taking the total energy consumed in one year (measured in kBtu) and dividing it by the total floorspace of the building. The winner is the one who lowers their EUI by the greatest percentage. Obviously a candidate such as the Van Holten Primary School - Bridgewater, NJ (EUI 150) will use relatively little energy (particularly when school’s out) compared to the Solon Family Health Center in Cleveland, OH (EUI 318) or an office building 522 5th Avenue - New York, NY (EUI 242) . Each building will be judged on the percentage of reduction they achieve in their EUI.

The nominees will measure and track their building’s monthly energy consumption using Portfolio Manager, the EPA’s online energy tracking tool. The building that demonstrates the greatest percentage-based reduction through October 26^th will be recognized as the winner.

Now, a little about our local contestants -

The team name for the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown is “Money in the Bank” – appropriately named because the hotel is located in the historic San Diego Trust & Savings Bank building in the city’s Gaslamp district. Ten years ago, the building went through a spectacular adaptive reuse, transitioning from a bank and office building to the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown San Diego hotel with 245 guest rooms. The 1920s bank building has guest rooms and common areas retrofitted with efficient sensors and technology. The hotel lists four reasons why it is important for it to save energy, money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions: 1) Its guests expect it, 2) Its owners require it, 3) Its employees know it is the right thing to do, and 4) It owes it to their community. MSD’s starting EUI is 162.

JCPenney Store # 1778 - Orange, CA is calling their crew the Orange Power Rangers. That JCPenney Store opened in 1977. The store covers 100,853 gross square feet with a net sales floor space of 69,723 square feet. The Orange store is part of a group of 63 JCPenney stores that participate in the company’s Advanced Energy Management (AEM) Program, which focuses on energy awareness on both the facility maintenance and store associate level. With the help of an Interval Data Recorder (IDR) meter, the energy usage of this store is monitored on a next-day basis, and daily store energy use reports for all associates to see. JC Penny Orange is already using 35% less energy than it was last year. 1778. Their starting EUI: 165

Good luck to all of the finalists, may you make the world a better place. Btw, does anyone else know what the winner gets, other than a trophy and/or plaque to proudly display?

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http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=buildingcontest.contestants

http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/14_finalists_picked_in_epas_national_building_competition/

http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/epa-and-energy-stars-new-national-building-competition?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20energyboom%20%28EnergyBoom%20Daily%20Briefing%29

http://blog.syracuse.com/storefront/2009/09/large_penney.JPG

http://brandmediaweek.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834519bc269e20120a694b62a970b-580wi

http://oldstockshop.com/willstock/eBay/jcpennyru11705.jpg

http://images.hotelplanner.com/hotelimages/s/047000/047845A.jpg

GREEN REAL ESTATE – GOOD FOR CALIFORNIA, GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY?

By Jodi Summers

Once again, when it comes to green, what’s good for California tends to become good for the country. The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have formed an action group to help states achieve the maximum cost-effective energy efficiency improvements possible in offices, buildings, industries and homes by 2020. Dubbed the State Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network, they are seeking to create a national version our statewide CALGREEN building code.

The CALGREEN Code was devised California Building Standards Commission is setting minimum green-building criterion that may, at the discretion of any local government entity, be applied.

“You will have a whole bunch of cities that never would have included this in their building doing it, and doing it in a way that won’t kill the economy,” observes Matthew Hargrove, a vice president with the California Business Properties Association. “Outside the coastal areas it will be helpful - like in West Sacramento, where they looked into creating a green building code but balked because it’s cumbersome to develop and they didn’t have the resources.”

Take the whole bunch of cities concept and spread it across a bunch of states. The DOE and EPA noted that 32 state public utility commissions requested help from the agencies last year regarding energy efficiency programs. SEE will be working with states to provide technical assistance and policy and program issues to advance energy efficiency efforts. Those state efforts may include financing solutions, residential efficiency programs and improving availability of energy usage information.

No doubt SEE’s goals will be similar to what we set forth in California. The purpose of CALGREEN’s codes is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts that have a positive environmental impact, and by encouraging sustainable construction practices in the following categories:

• Planning and design

• Energy efficiency

• Water efficiency and conservation

• Material conservation and resource efficiency

• Environmental air quality

As California did with CALGREEN, now SEE and other DOE programs will help states develop strategies and action plans to improve the energy efficiency of existing building and reduce costs and emissions.

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

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http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2257243/agencies-action-buildings

http://www.socalmultiunitrealestateblog.com/?p=673

http://www.socalgreenrealestateblog.com/?p=764

http://www.hydrogenthusiast.com/uploaded_images/doe-786712-787007.gif

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/calgreen-ed01.jpg

http://www.socalofficerealestateblog.com/wp-content/newuploads/2009/08/calgreen_code_page_01.jpg

THE GREENEST CITIES IN THE WORLD

THE GREENEST CITIES IN THE WORLD

 Edited by Jodi Summers

 We like lists, it means a lot of research has been done. Today’s dynamic list is from Reader’s Digest;
 they have come up with a list of world's greenest, most livable cities. To compile this list, they have an
alyzed data from two top sources covering 141 nations. We’ll give you the top 26 greenest cities
(as 26 happens to be San Francisco), the rest you can find @
http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/best-places-to-live-green/article45734.html

1. Stockholm, Sweden

2. Oslo, Norway

3. Munich, Germany

4. Paris, France

5. Frankfurt, Germany

6. Stuttgart, Germany

7. Lyon, France

8. Dusseldorf, Germany

9. Nantes, France

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

11. Geneva, Switzerland

12. Zurich, Switzerland

13. Glasgow, United Kingdom

14. Barcelona, Spain

15. New York, United States

16. Brussels, Belgium

17. Hamburg, Germany

18. Hong Kong, PR China

19. Newcastle, United Kingdom

20. Tokyo, Japan

21. Helsinki, Finland

22. Washington, D.C., United States

23. Chicago, United States

24. Vancouver, Canada

25. Dortmund, Germany

26. San Francisco, United States

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Sources:

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/04/0406_liveable_cities/image/7_frankfurt.jpg

http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/best-places-to-live-green/article45734.html

http://www.primetravels.com/PackageImages/699/Stockholm-Sweden_03-360a032607.jpg

http://highendfood.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/frankfurt_skyline.jpg

http://mamofrizzi.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/tb_copenhagen_denmark.jpg

http://www.bertgulick.com/images/05/copenhagen-denmark.jpg

http://www.iho-ohi.org/wp-content/brussels-belgium.jpg

http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01253/Hotspots%20in%20Europe/BrusselsCityImage.jpg

http://wallpapers.free-review.net/63__Shibuya_Tokyo_Japan.htm

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/3771/eiffeltower2cparis2cfrawo0.jpg

http://www.spa.ucla.edu/up/webfiles/tokyo-shinjuku-45_4.jpg

http://paaia.org/galleries/default-image/san-francisco.jpg

http://www.namss.org/images/AC2008/SanFrancisco.jpg

LOS ANGELES WINS THE ENERGY STAR GRAND PRIZE…AGAIN

By Jodi Summers

Bravo to all of you greening your properties. According to our friends at the environmental protection agency, approximately 3,900 commercial buildings earned the Energy Star rating in 2009, representing annual savings of more than $900 million in utility bills and more than 4.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Impressively, nearly 9,000 buildings across the nation have earned the Energy Star for superior energy efficiency during the past 11 years.

A standing ovation for our beloved Los Angeles. The EPA ranked us as first on its annual list of metro areas with the most energy-efficient buildings. We led the field with 293 buildings labeled Energy Star in 2009, up from the 262 that qualified the city as No. 1 in 2008.

Kudos also go to our nation’s capitol. Washington, DC, ranked fourth place in 2008, is now in second, with 204 Energy Star buildings, up from 136 the previous year.

Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program run by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. In order to qualify, a building or manufacturing plant must score in the top 25 percent based , on the agency’s National Energy Performance Rating System and use less energy, reduce operating expenses and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Roll the credits - the top 25 cities with the most energy star labeled buildings in 2009 are:

1. Los Angeles, CA

2. Washington, DC

3. San Francisco, CA

4. Denver, CO

5. Chicago, IL

6. Houston, TX

7. Lakeland, FL

8. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

9. Atlanta, GA

10. New York, NY

11. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

12. Portland, OR

13. Boston, MA

14. Seattle, WA

15. Detroit, MI

16. Sacramento, CA

17. San Diego, CA

18. Austin, TX

19. Miami, FL

20. Phoenix, AZ

21. Ogden, UT

22. Charlotte, NC

23. Indianapolis, IN

24. Des Moines, IA/Fort Collins, CO/Philadelphia, PA

25. Louisville, KY

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http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/03/23/la-takes-top-spot-epa-green-building-rankings

http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=624F645516667EF93A09A56906607F8E&ref=100&iid=174&cid=383F14EEE265B182474DA2442BACBBBF

http://gateway.costar.com/imageviewer/GetImage.aspx?webimage=EPA+Energy+Star.JPG

http://lakelandflforeclosures.com/images/lakelandatnight.jpg

http://www.staronetickets.com/images/Seattle.jpg

http://away.com/images/outside/200808/ogden-ut.jpg

http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicc/cfiles28462.jpg