Solar Thermal Panels

A few weeks ago we brought you the profile of Skyline Innovations, a DC solar project developer that is aiming to bring affordable solar power to DC through a unique business model that eliminates all installation and technology costs for building owners. Since  going to press with that article, Skyline has started construction on their 6th solar project, and installation on a 45 unit apartment building located at 3501 13th St NW, DC. This is part one of a series in which we will bring you updates on the installation process as well as the impact of renewable energy to 3501’s environmental, energy and operational profiles.

The system Skyline is installing at 3501 13th St consists of 32 individual solar panels and over 1600 gallons of hot water storage, which will offset somewhere on the order of 70% of the building’s natural gas consumption. Crosstown Properties LLC, the owner of the property is paying nothing for the system or its maintenance and has merely contracted with Skyline to purchase the energy generated (which is provided at a guaranteed discount to their existing utilities). The result is substantial energy savings and a dramatically decreased environmental footprint.

3501 13th St NW Crosstown Properties LLC

Crosstown Properties has a track record of pursuing environmentally sustainable practices, going so far as to bring on Greenavise, a Silver Spring based environmental sustainability consulting group, as professional advisors to their green efforts.  As they can attest, solar is but one of many ways that building owners can increase their property’s value and decrease its environmental impacts. We caught up with Scott Friedman, CEO of Greenavise to get his thoughts.

Green DC Daily: Could you tell us a little bit about your background in Real Estate as well as environmental sustainability?

Scott Friedman: I have developed, owned and invested in condo conversions, retail neighborhood centers and multi-family properties.  As I learned that real estate is the single largest contributor of waste (when you factor in all building operations), I became interested in environmental sustainability and ways to reduce expenses and environmental impact on the real estate projects I was working on.

My Company, Greenavise Consulting provides sustainability and energy efficiency products and services for businesses and property owners interested in improving their triple bottom line – economic, ecological and social impact.

GDD: How did you get into the field of Sustainability Consulting?

SF: I come from a real estate world where the mentality of many property owners has been “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.  The more I learned about sustainability, the more I began to feel that I could make a difference with these property owners.  I understand the owners and feel I can I can educate them on the true economic value of going green.  Through Greenavise I offer energy efficiency, renewable energy and other sustainability products and services to these property owners.

GDD: You brought Crosstown Properties, the owner of 3501 13th street and Skyline Innovations together to spur on this solar development. Can you tell us a little bit about the process?

SF: 3501 13th street, a Greenavise client, has been operated in the same way for years.  The owners are interested in efficiencies and renewables, but were reluctant to make large capital improvements.  Greenavise brought Skyline’s solar water heating solution to the property owners.  Everyone involved was excited to find a product that requires no upfront cost and provides both environmental and economic benefit to the building owners.  Greenavise believes we need more solutions like that offered by Skyline.

GDD: You obviously share the belief that environmental responsibility is important for business owners, why is this so?

SF:We believe that as people and businesses become more educated about our impact on the environment, they will start to make better decisions.  It is up to individuals, employees and/or business owners to do their part in being environmentally responsible  Real estate owners large and small will come to realize that it makes good economic sense to implement most green measures.  Greenavise can help determine and prioritize, which green solutions work for individual properties and businesses.

GDD: What are some of the reasons that businesses have been so slow to adopt sustainability measures?

SF:There is currently a problem with the true or perceived upfront capital cost of implementing sustainability measures.  Most businesses think that it will be very expensive to make these changes, when in reality it makes good business sense.