Spray Foam & Solar: The Energy Saving Duo
Today, builders, contractors, architects, and facility owners of commercial structures are all looking for ways to enhance the performance of their facilities. Not only are many producing more sustainability in general, but they are also focusing primarily on optimizing their buildings for long-term energy conservations, resistance against storm weather events, and, ultimately, developing an adequate return on investment.
As knowledge and materials have improved and building codes are becoming increasingly stringent, many are building to achieve Zero Net Energy or ZNE. Zero Net Energy structures, including both recently constructed and retrofitted buildings, generate as much or more renewable energy onsite as they consume. Thus, a ZNE structure lowers energy costs, eliminates fossil fuel dependence, and lowers the building’s emissions and environmental footprint.
Spray foam insulation has played a prominent role in many of these projects and has started to gain recognition for it. As more people find out about it, an increasing number of contractors and manufacturers have brought a ZNE structure to fruition in the spray foam industry.Â
Tax Incentives and Long-Term ROI
The return-on-investment of a building with combined spray foam and solar power is significant, as the systems dramatically reduce the building’s reliance on traditional electricity, as well as the monthly bills associated with it. With zero net energy structures, monthly energy bills are eradicated.
There are noteworthy tax incentives to consider as well. The Solar Investment Tax Credit has been an important federal mechanism to support the growth of solar in the U.S. Energy efficiency using the two methods of solar and foam count toward the tax incentive if done at the same time. So be sure to plan accordingly and have your spray foam sprayed when you install your solar. As solar is becoming more common, tax incentives have been lowering. Hence, it’s important to take advantage of this incentive to help your overall cost.Â
