There is some exciting new green news for Arizona this week.
First, McCarthy Building Companies Inc. has announced its commitment to the Green Building Certification Institute’s Credentialing Maintenance Program for the firm’s 400+ LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs). Credential maintenance is the continuing education completed by LEED Professionals to be updated on the current information regarding green building practices. The new curriculum is different from the existing program and will focus on the improvements that can be made during design, construction and operations to improve the sustainability of the projects.
“McCarthy’s investment in continuing education underscores the company’s commitment to both its employees and its customers, “ said Beth Holst, Vice President of Credentialing for the Green Building Certification Institute. “Credential maintenance keeps LEED AP’s at the forefront of the green building field.”
Through the McCarthy Green Curriculum, LEED APs will be required to complete 30 hours of training over the next two years to maintain the new building and design credential.
“Building green is here to stay,” said Chad Dorgan, vice president of quality and sustainability at McCarthy. “Over the next three years alone, we anticipate an 1,125% increase in LEED certified McCarthy projects. Supporting the GBCI Credential Maintenance Program is one important way to keep McCarthy builders at the forefront of this ever-changing industry.”
Secondly, Guadalupe’s first commercial solar project is underway. This project is near completion at Itom A’e, a low-income housing tax credit senior community, which is owned by the Englewood Group. The project will include 290 solar panels totaling 66,700 watts. The group feels so strongly about the power of PV, that they also have signed a contract with Perfect Power Solar to install a second phase system on Itom A’e for their newest senior housing community. The solar system they chose is a major component of the 50,000 square foot building encompassing a 1.47 acre site. Once all this work is done, the association expects to eliminate all of the buildings common area electric energy costs.
Dave Brady, Director of Sales for Perfect Power Solar stated, “It’s all about the kWh. The systems for Itom A’e is designed to out perform other PV systems by as much as 25 percent.”
www.mccarthy.com
www.perfectpowersolar.com
