HOUSTON – MAY 14, 2019 – HARC and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club leaders will celebrate the completion of a sustainability project signifying a major step towards the organization’s goal of achieving a highly regarded net zero energy (NZE) status, which would make the HARC headquarters in The Woodlands the first commercial building in Texas to accomplish the feat. A $136,000 Sun Club grant supported the purchase and installation of additional solar panels on the roof of HARC’s LEED Platinum building. By optimizing energy efficiency and production, HARC’s facility is on track to reach the net zero energy (NZE) designation, positioning the environmental research firm as a regional leader in sustainability solutions.
On Tuesday, May 14, HARC will host a private “Flip the Switch” event highlighting the contribution from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club to cover the costs of the significantly expanded solar array.
A building classified as NZE is one that consumes less energy over the course of a year than is generated onsite through renewable energy resources. With all systems online, HARC’s 18,600 square feet of space is powered by 88 kilowatts of solar power to achieve net zero energy status.
“Our new headquarters facility is indeed fulfilling our mission to build a sustainable future,” said Lisa Gonzalez, HARC President and CEO. “With this generous grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, we have significantly upgraded our existing onsite renewable power generation and are well on our way to operating at and documenting our net zero energy status. HARC is an organization that researches sustainable solutions and applies them, so others can learn how to deploy them as well.”
“Sun Club is proud to work with HARC to support sustainable research and education for Houston and the world,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice-president and general manager. “The HARC building and campus is a testament to what is possible when an organization puts their mission into practice and in doing so, leads the way for other organizations to take the same important steps towards sustainability and clean energy solutions.”
The HARC building and campus grounds in The Woodlands employs several sustainable strategies. The building footprint and impervious paving are minimized, bioswales are designed to retain and filter water onsite to reduce the impact to nearby waterways, and the site’s biodiversity is preserved by protecting and restoring native vegetation. The building is oriented to maximize the daylight reaching the building’s interior spaces and rooftop solar installation.
Other advanced sustainable strategies include low-flow fixtures to conserve water while mechanical systems utilize a geothermal heat exchange system for optimal energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and thermal comfort. An added high-performance building envelope and rain screen performs 2.5 times better than a typical enclosure. Particularly impressive is the facility’s greater than 50 percent energy savings compared to LEED base targets.
